Gabby urge for final Yorke meeting

Boyhood claret and blue fan Agbonlahor was only at primary school while Yorke was in his pomp at Villa Park, but he is old enough to remember the acrimonious circumstances in which the Trinidad and Tobago forward left the club in a £12.6million move to Manchester United.

Then-Villa boss John Gregory famously said after Yorke told him he wanted to leave that: "If I'd had a gun I would have shot him."

The striker-come-midfielder has been a target for the Holte End boo-boys since his 1998 departure, rubbing salt into the wounds when he joined bitter rivals Birmingham in 2004.

Now 37, Yorke's Premier League playing days are expected to end this summer when his contract expires at Sunderland.

But the veteran, currently studying for his coaching badges, could remain on Wearside as part of new boss Ricky Sbragia's backroom staff.

Agbonlahor revealed pictures of Yorke, who scored 73 league goals for the club, are dotted around the corridors of Villa Park are a constant reminder of his impact during a decade of service at the club.

He has called for supporters to remember the good times, when Yorke makes what will surely be his curtain-call in front of the claret and blues.

Agbonlahor said: "Dwight's name means a lot, he did very well for this club. If you look around Villa Park you will see a lot of pictures of him celebrating his goals. He was a very good player.

"Do I forgive him? I think you have got to move on. He played for Villa and decided to move on for his career. It was a difficult choice and people should remember what he did for this club.

"I've met him a few times and shook his hand."

Manager Martin O'Neill must decide whether to recall Carlos Cuellar at right-back, or stick with Nigel Reo-Coker.

Long-term absentees John Carew and Freddie Bouma will again be missing but have resumed light training.

The Black Cats will be without Steed Malbranque, who leads the Premier League's assist charts.

Villa head to the north-east with more points than ever before after 21 games. The last time they were in such a strong position was the title-winning campaign of 1980/81, when it was two points for a win, with Ron Saunders' side men having gained the equivalent.

O'Neill is expecting another stiff test as Villa - 2-1 winners at Villa Park in September - bid to extend their Premier League unbeaten run to 10 games.

The manager said: "Last season they beat us at our place, we drew when it was a real tough battle up at the Stadium of Light last year and we managed to come from behind this season.

"All three have been very tight games and I would expect that again on Saturday."

He believes the Black Cats are stronger for the return of Kenwyne Jones, a player Villa are believed to hold an interest in.

O'Neill said: "He is definitely a handful. He has become a favourite player up there. He was out for a fairly lengthy time.

"It goes without saying Sunderland missed him, they missed his presence – as we would miss any of our players out of the team."