Sunderland defender Carlos Cuellar will have mixed emotions facing former club Aston Villa tonight.

The game is vital for both clubs in their battle to beat the drop.

"First of all we have to look after ourselves," said Cuellar to the Birmingham Mail. "We need to win and carry on to the best finish possible.

"I hope we are going to win on Monday. Afterwards I wish Villa all the best to win their last three games.

"It's going to be strange, as it was when I played my first game against them earlier in the season.

"I am playing against friends with whom I trained and worked so hard for four years.

"It will be emotional to play there, but I am ready for that and very excited."