Cahill keen to avoid boo boys

Cahill: Hoping for a warm reception

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Bolton defender Gary Cahill hopes to avoid the Aston Villa boo boys on Saturday.

Cahill joined Bolton in the January transfer window after finding a place in the Villa first-team increasingly hard to come by.

Bolton - who occupy the final spot in the Premier League relegation zone - travel to Villa hoping to boost their hopes of a place in the top-flight next season.

The Trotters are currently four points adrift of Birmingham, who Cahill almost joined instead of Bolton, and safety but the centre-back insists he made the right choice - and is sure his decision will be appreciated by the Villa fans.

Sour note

"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," said Cahill.

"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!

No regrets

"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 knew it was time to move on when first-team opportunities became limited at Villa Park under manager 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 and I've no regrets about it."