Carlos Cuellar in talks over new Aston Villa contract

Carlos Cuellar is closing in on a new contract at Aston Villa, manager Alex McLeish has confirmed.

The 30-year-old, who comes to the end of his current deal in the summer, has cemented a spot in Villa's back line this season.

Due to his efforts for Villa, the Midlands club have decided to reward the versatile defender with a new contract.

"I think there have been talks [about a new contract] and they will be ongoing," said McLeish.

"I've said to Carlos it's important he keeps playing as well as he can and then contracts won't be a problem for him.

"If he produces the form he is capable of, we will get more clean sheets so why would you want to let someone like that go."

The news quashes rumours that surrounded Cuellar in January, which suggested that the defender was seeking a move back to Spain.