Carlos Cuellar believes Villa are beginning to understand their roles better under Gerard Houllier.
Under pressure Villa boss backed by Spaniard
Aston Villa defender Carlos Cuellar believes his side are beginning to understand their roles better under Gerard Houllier.
The 29-year-old Spaniard returned to the Villa team for the clash with West Brom last time out at centre-half, after acting as back-up under Houllier previously this term.
Villa have struggled under the French coach since his appointment as Martin O'Neill's replacement and are currently languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League.
Cuellar believes the players are beginning to understand Houllier's way of thinking, and is confident the team can turn things around.
"You need to know what he wants and he needs to know what his side is. It is new for everybody: the style of football, the training," he told
The Independent.
Everything changes
"Everything has changed, but now, after three and a half months, we know him, he knows us and the team is coming up. I went through two or three managerial changes in Spain.
"It's always good because it gives an opportunity to people who weren't playing before, and they get more confidence and focus in their job."
Cuellar, who arrived at the club from Rangers in August 2008, believes Villa can still push for the European places come the end of the season, despite their poor start.
"We're looking forward to pushing up again and to trying to get into the top six," he added.
"It's tight. If you win three in a row you can get in the top four. Apart from one player (James Milner) we've got the same team that came sixth last season, and we've got two or three really good young players who have come in. They've helped us a lot."
