Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has heaped praise on Carlos Cuellar after their 5-1 thrashing of Bolton Wanderers.

As well as starring in his natural central defensive role, the Spanish ace also managed to bag his first claret and blue goal.

O'Neill told Villa's website: "I thought Carlos played brilliantly.

"He was back in the position that suits him best. But, saying that, he has done excellently for us at right-back. James and Richard have arrived and slotted into his normal position so he has moved to full-back for us.

"There was he back in his normal position and I thought he was masterful. That's especially true when you consider what he had to deal with - namely a lot of first balls and second balls."