Ulises de la Cruz Wants More Games

Ulises de la Cruz is hoping to build on his first game in five months for Villa.

The 31-year-old right-back come right sided winger, is looking to get first team football to boost his chances of making the World Cup finals with Ecuador. He came on for Jlloyd Samuel who was played out of position and had to leave the field as he struggled with a virus against Portsmouth after just 23 minutes.

DLC had asked several times to be allowed to leave in the January transfer window but no approaches were made and the club made it clear that the player would only be allowed to leave for a fee. He will be available on a free in the summer when his contract ends.

He said: ‘The weekend was my first Villa game for five months. It was good to be involved and the fans were great. Ecuador have three more games before the World Cup and that is good because it gives me some football. What I need more than anything is games. So hopefully David O’Leary will pick me because I need games to prepare, but he hasn’t said anything to me. I’ve played the odd reserve match, but regular football will help me become sharper.’

I’d not bank on another game DLC, with Olof Mellberg back at the weekend, Aaron Hughes is more likely to be moved back to his more usual right-back position. Not only that, but Jlloyd is also back in training having recovered from his virus.