Stephen Warnock will return to his old stomping ground, Ewood Park, on Saturday for the first time since completing his £8million switch to Aston Villa during the summer.

Warnock, 27, left Blackburn after two-and-a-half years at the club and has since established himself as Villa's first-choice left-back ahead of Nicky Shorey.

The former Liverpool ace is unsure what sort of reception he will receive from the Rovers' faithful as Martin O'Neill's men go in search of their seventh straight win in all competitions.

"The Blackburn game was one of the games I looked for straight away to see when we would be playing against them," Warnock told the Birmingham Mail.

"I'm surprised that it's come around so quickly but I'm looking forward to going back there.

"I think they're [Blackburn fans] usually quite good. Hopefully I'll get a good reception, but you just never know.

Warnock is looking forward to the prospect of challenging for honours with at his new club, who again are being talked about as genuine challengers for a top-four finish this season after four wins in as many league games.

He added: "Villa are such an exciting team and I know we can go to places and get results''