Gary Cahill hopes to receive a 'warm welcome' upon his return to Aston Villa with Premier League strugglers Bolton on Saturday.Cahill looked likely to move across the city to St Andrews in the recent transfer window but instead opted to head for the North-West and join Bolton.
Wanderers currently sit four points adrift of Birmingham, third from bottom in the Premier League relegation zone, but the centre-half is happy he made the right choice - and is sure his decision will be appreciated by the Villa fans.
"Do I think I will get a good reception when I come back to Villa Park?" I would hope so, but you never quite know," he said.
"I didn't leave on bad terms or on a sour note so it would be nice to think I'll get a warm welcome.
"It might have been different if I'd have gone to Birmingham. I don't think that would've gone down too well.
"If I'd have gone to Blues, I'd be able to give you a definite answer about the reception I'd get going back to Villa Park!
"I'm looking forward to it, but it will be strange. I think it will feel more like a practice match because I'm that used to playing with all the Villa lads."
Cahill, 22, knew it was time to seek pastures new with first-team opportunities limited at Villa Park under Martin O'Neill.
"You have to do what's best for yourself and I decided that it was best if I left Villa for Bolton and not for Blues," he said. "It was the biggest decision of my life and I had to make a choice which I thought would benefit my career.
"It wasn't easy and I gave all of the options lots of thought, but deep down I knew I had made the right choice and I've no regrets about it.
"I think in the short spell of time I've been at Bolton I've definitely benefited from it.
"I've been putting in some good performances and I'm being recognised a lot more than I would have been sitting on the bench - or not even that - at Villa.
"Things are going how I wanted them to. My performance levels have been good and I'm confident I'm going to play a part in keeping Bolton in the Premier League.
"On top of that I've played in the UEFA Cup, which was a fantastic experience. Playing in Europe is something Villa have been striving for for years, so I'd definitely recommend it to the Villa lads."
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