Aston Villa FC

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• Founded:1874
• Manager:Gerard Houllier

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Villa close on Cuellar swoop

12 Aug 2008 - 07:40:31

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Aston Villa are poised to finalise the signing of Rangers central defender Carlos Cuellar, having agreed a fee of £7.8million for the Spaniard.

The 26-year-old had only been at Ibrox for one season following his arrival from Osasuna, but believes that the chance to play in the Premier League is too good to turn down.

He told the Gers' official club website: I came to Rangers due to the professional manner of their officials and management and their promise of success. Everything I had been told about this fantastic club has been true and last year's UEFA Cup run is something I will never forget.

"My ambition has always been to play for my national team and I believe that playing in the biggest league in the world for Aston Villa will help me realise that.

"When I told chief executive Martin Bain on Sunday that I wanted to leave, I did so with sadness.

"The Rangers supporters have been fantastic to me, but I am young and want to play at the highest level and I hope they will always welcome me back.

"I want to thank them for everything."

Villa boss Martin O'Neill has been busy bolstering his squad's defensive options in the last week, also snapping up Luke Young and Nicky Shorey from Middlesbrough and Reading respectively.