Aston Villa: De La Cruz signs new deal

Aston Villa defender Ulises de la Cruz has signed a new two-year contract with the Barclays Premiership club.

The Ecuador international has pledged his future to Villa until June 2006.

De la Cruz took time to win over the Villa fans after his move from Hibernian in the summer of 2002.

But he impressed when filling in as right-back for the injured Mark Delaney during the final third of last season.

De la Cruz said: "I've been playing right-back for Ecuador for seven years and understand the position and feel comfortable with it.

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