Davies determined to keep place

Davies is ready to battle for his place against Cuellar and Laursen

Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies is frustrated at suggestions he will lose his first-team place to summer signing Carlos Cuellar.

Davies and Martin Laursen paired up to help Villa to a clean sheet against Liverpool on Sunday.

"All week I've been told I'm near enough going to be dropped," Davies told BBC WM.

"I was shocked when anyone said that to me and I always expected to play. I am fit and I am raring to go."

Davies has returned sooner than expected from a serious Achilles injury and gives manager Martin O'Neill plenty of options in the centre of defence alongside Laursen, Cuellar and Zat Knight.

"I'm looking to keep my place in the team no matter who's behind me," Davies added.

"When I first came back I just wanted to defend, head things, kick things. But now my distribution is good and hopefully I'm getting back to where I used to be."

Villa have made a mixed start to the season despite making good progress in Europe.

An opening weekend Premier League win over Manchester City has been followed by defeat at Stoke and the goalless draw with Liverpool.

"It's not a terrible start, but obviously you'd like to have maybe six points on the board," Davies noted.

"You can't complain, Stoke had a game plan against us, it's worked for them, they've taken three points off us and deserved them.

"At least we're getting into the right habits and we've kept a clean sheet."