MIDDLESBROUGH defender Gareth Southgate returns to Villa Park on Saturday fully prepared for an ear-bashing from the fans who once adored him.

In the absence of the suspended Paul Ince, Southgate is expected to take temporary charge of the captain's armband in what is expected to be a highly charged affair, given his acrimonious exit during the summer.

The 30-year-old, who starred in England's 1-1 draw with Sweden on Saturday, ended 12 months on the transfer list to join Steve McClaren's Riverside revolution during the summer after six years with Villa.

Southgate said: "I am still not sure how the Villa supporters will react to me but I am preparing myself.

''I saw the reception that Dwight Yorke and Mark Bosnich endured when they came back to Villa so I should probably prepare myself for the worst.

''Whatever happens, whatever reaction I get, won't change the fact that I still have some very fond memories of my years at Villa.

''I won a League Cup there, skippered them to their first FA Cup final for more than 30 years and played in some fantastic European clashes.

''I also take great pride from the fact that my name is up on the board in gold as the most capped England player ever at the club.

''Those are great memories to have and I won't let any of that be over-shadowed by my final 12 months.

''I never let the club down on the pitch. I am a professional and, despite what was going on in the background, much of which the supporters were never privy to, I always gave everything.''

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