Aston Villa’s fortunes have changed since Stephen Warnock left in 2012 and the left-back will be making his first appearance back at his old ground on Saturday.
Wigan Athletic skipper Stephen Warnock has told the club’s official website that he is relishing his return to Villa Park on Saturday and has praised the impact made at the club by Steve Bruce.
The two-time England international joined Villa in 2009 while they were still regulars in European football under Martin O’Neill but, since his departure three years later, they have endured a dramatic downfall, to the point where they are now hoping to string together a run of form to propel them towards the Championship play-offs.
However, their ambitions have certainly been aided by the appointed of Bruce in October, with the 55-year-old boasting promotions with Birmingham City and Hull on a lengthy managerial CV.
The 55-year-old went unbeaten in his first seven games at the helm before going down 2-0 away at Leeds United last Saturday, but Villa will be favourites to get back to winning ways away at a Wigan side who remain in 23rd with just 18 points thus far.
And Warnock has taken the time to praise Bruce’s impact at his former club ahead of his first return to Villa Park since his 2012 exit.
“Steve Bruce is a vastly experienced manager who’s been brought in to the club to try and reinvigorate it and, let’s face it, Villa are one of the really big clubs in terms of infrastructure, facilities and fanbase,” the former Liverpool left-back told Wigan’s official website.
“They should be in the Premier League. Like everyone else in football, you have to earn that success, though, nothing comes easily.
“They will be looking to keeping their run going having won their last three at Villa Park but it’s up to us to try and keep the crowd quiet there.
“I know from personal experience what a great atmosphere the Villa fans can generate at home, but we need to feed off that too and use it as a motivation for us.”
Though Warnock has spent the recent part of his career out of the Premier League, it’s unlikely he regrets leaving Villa in hindsight.
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