Ecuador wing-back Ulises De la Cruz claims that Spanish side Villarreal want to sign him after the World Cup finals and end his Aston Villa nightmare.

The 32-year-old has been with Villa for four years, but has failed to nail down a regular starting spot and is hoping to move on later on in the summer.

De la Cruz told AS: "An approach from Villarreal has always existed, but my contract with Aston Villa finishes next month.

"We will go into talks and see what happens.

"There are many things that happen in life, I only ask God that he helps us continue in the World Cup and that we can continue enjoying these good moments."

De la Cruz has made 99 appearances for Villa, scoring just twice, having joined the club for £1.5million from Hibernian in the summer of 2002.