ULISES de la Cruz hopes his first appearance for Villa in five months will usher in a change of fortune as he bids to sharpen up for the World Cup. The Ecuador right-back broke a long period of inactivity when he came off the bench to replace Jlloyd Samuel against Portsmouth on Saturday.
The 31-year-old received an ovation from the Villa Park crowd in doing so, but still looks odds-on to leave on a free transfer in the summer when his contract expires. His appearance capped a remarkable few days because only three days earlier he had played the full 90 minutes in winning his 107th cap - and skippering his country - against Holland at the Amsterdam Arena. And that after a season in which he has played just a handful of reserve matches. The problem for de la Cruz this weekend is that skipper Olof Mellberg will return to the side to face Blackburn. That means he may struggle to even win a place on the bench with Samuel likely to drop down. De la Cruz has started only two games all season for Villa and his appearance against Pompey was his first since he squared up to Middlesbrough at Villa Park five months ago. Ecuador face three more friendlies before the World Cup - they travel to Japan on March 30, then face Colombia in East Rutherford, USA, on May 24, and finally travel to Slovakia on May 28. And de la Cruz wants to guarantee he is in tip-top shape when their group games get under way against Poland, Costa Rica and hosts Germany. He said: "The weekend was my first Villa game for five months. It was good to be involved and the fans were great. Ecuador have three more games before the World Cup and that is good because it gives me some football.
 "What I need more than anything is games. So hopefully David O'Leary will pick me because I need games to prepare, but he hasn't said anything to me. I've played the odd reserve match, but regular football will help me become sharper." A strong Dutch team containing Arjen Robben, Phillip Cocu, Mark Van Bommel, Edwin Van der Sar, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst and George Boateng could only get the better of Ecuador by a single goal from Dirk Kuijt. "It was disappointing to lose but we were without three of our regular players," said de La Cruz. "That was my first competitive game, also in five months, and to captain my country was a very proud moment. It was great to get 90 minutes and I wish I could play regularly because it helps my game. "I feel fit and good. I've played for Ecuador for seven years, including two World Cups and qualifying tournaments, so I'm desperate to give a good account of myself this summer." * Should Ulises de la Cruz be given a regular role at Villa? Tell us what you think at www.icbirmingham.co.uk/mail/villa/yourshout | 
