Richard Dunne insists that the competition for places in the Aston Villa’s defence is a healthy one.

Dunne and James Collins were added to Martin O’Neill’s squad in the summer, and whilst they have forged an impressive pairing, there is more quality competing for places in the back four.

“There was a lot of defensive quality already in the squad,” Dunne told the Birmingham Mail. “Maybe a bit of experience is what was needed and the manager felt we could maybe add that.

“As far as talent goes, Curtis Davies is probably as good as anyone in the league, he just needs to play games. And obviously Carlos Cuellar just needs the experience of playing games in England.

“They’ll improve and as they get on they’ll just get better and better. Hopefully I can be a steadying influence but for me and for James it’s new for us coming into a different club.

“Everyone can help each other and that’s the way this squad will work. Nobody’s come in to step on someone else’s toes. We all want to work and hopefully progress as a club together.”

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