PHILLIPS LOOKING FORWARD TO SUNDERLAND RETURN

By Ryan Ghee
November 13 2005

Aston Villa striker Kevin Phillips is hoping to add to Sunderland's woes next weekend as he looks to help Villa move away from the foot of the table.

Phillips, who scored 115 goals in 209 appearances for Sunderland, admits that he still has a lot of affection for the Black Cats and their supporters but he knows that he can't think of that when he enters the stadium wearing Villa colours.

"I have been back to watch a couple of games and been made to feel very welcome," the striker said. "To sum it up, I was sitting in a box watching the match and someone in the crowd noticed me. Before I knew it, there were 15,000 fans singing my name."

"I enjoyed it at Sunderland," he continued, "met some great people and met some good friends. It will be weird to run out at the Stadium of Light in a Villa kit."

Kevin Phillips is not the only Villan who will be making a return to The Stadium of Light to face his former team-mates. Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen and midfielder Gavin McCann will also be hoping to lead Villa to victory to get one over their old club.