Gareth Southgate: These big games are why we play

Dwight Yorke left Aston Villa for £12.6m in August, after nine years at the club where he first arrived as a 17-year-old kid from the Caribbean.

But despite his long service to the club many fans have not forgiven the Tobagan for his departure.

Yorke spent nine years at his first English club

Midfielder Ian Taylor has a particular insight having once stood on Villa Park's Holte End as a fan.

"If he had signed for any other team, then probably the fans would have wished him all the best. But United is different, particularly as we are both up there at the top," he said.

Boss John Gregory said he could have shot Yorke when he told him he wanted to leave, but this week he urged Villa fans to give their former hero a warm welcome.

No favours

Yorke appreciates he will receive a rough reception: "I had nine fantastic years at Villa and I had a great understanding with the fans, but I am now the enemy.

Dwight Yorke: I've got a few mixed emotions

"I hope, though, that the Villa fans will not forget the nine years I gave them. I had a good rapport with them and I felt close to them."

The 27-year-old is on better terms with his former team-mates, although he admits it will be a weird experience playing against them.

"We've already had a bit of banter this week and I've spoken to Ugo (Ehiogu) on the phone and he says they are all looking forward to it."

If United win they will replace Villa at the top of the league for the first time this season.

Dublin (right) is latest Premiership player of the month

Among the hype over Yorke's return, it should not be forgotten that Villa have a former United striker in their ranks - whose recent form is even better than the West Indian's.

Dion Dublin will receive the November Carling Player of the Month award before the game after scoring seven goals in his first three Villa starts.

And United manager Alex Ferguson has been singing the praises of the "fantastic guy" he signed from Cambridge.

Dublin in his Old Trafford days

"He is a smashing pro and he was a terrific player here. He is a very good finisher and has a very good understanding of the game."

The United boss may have lost an assistant manager this week but he does have Ryan Giggs ready to start his first Premiership game since the end of October.

Gregory is set to field the side which ended the 2-2 draw with Forest with Alan Thompson in place of back injury victim Paul Merson, and Julian Joachim keeping his place in the absence of the suspended Stan Collymore.

Blackburn v Charlton

Many eyes will be on Ewood Park, although new manager Brian Kidd will be in the directors' box as Tony Parkes ends his latest caretaker stint in charge of the league's bottom club.

The game is crucial for both teams as Charlton slip back towards the relegation zone many thought they would never leave.

Boss Alan Curbishley has a near full-strength squad to choose from for the trip to the league's bottom club, but Parkes must again do without a number of regulars including Chris Sutton.

Derby v Arsenal

Fredrik Ljungberg and Remi Garde are doubtful with flu adding to the six first-teamers ruled out by injury.

Dennis Bergkamp, Tony Adams, Nigel Winterburn, Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit and Stephen Hughes are definitely missing.

The home side will again be without injured captain Igor Stimac and Francesco Baiano but Stefano Eranio is set to return to the starting line-up for the first time since October.

Everton v Chelsea

David Unsworth is suspended for Everton's first game since chairman Peter Johnson's departure.

Olivier Dacourt is back in training after an ankle problem, while Nicky Barmby and Slaven Bilic came through a midweek reserve match.

Chelsea have virtually a full-strength squad and the only change from the last league line-up may be the return of Dennis Wise from suspension.

Leeds v West Ham

West Ham arrive with Harry Redknapp having won November's manager of the month award, but without Rio Ferdinand.

The England man suffered an ankle injury in training and will be replaced by Chilean Javier Margas.

Ian Wright returns from suspension to replace Paul Kitson who has a broken toe, while Marc Keller should coem in for Eyal Berkovic, ruled out with a calf injury.

Leeds skipper Lucas Radebe could make his return while goalkeeper Nigel Martyn will undergo a late fitness check on his back.

Lee Bowyer and Robert Molenaar return after suspension but Martin Hiden is out for two months with a knee injury.

Leicester v Southampton

Leicester are waiting on the fitness of Tony Cottee, Emile Heskey and Muzzy Izzet but Andy Impey will make his home debut.

Matthew Le Tissier returns from suspension for Southampton while Francis Benali, Claus Lundekvam and Egil Ostenstad have recovered from injuries.

Carlton Palmer will play despite suffering from flu but Ken Monkou is very doubtful with a thigh injury.

Tottenham v Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp is suspended and could be replaced by either Danny Murphy or David Thompson, but Jason McAteer, Steve Harkness and Karlheinz Riedle are all out injured.

John Scales should be back for Spurs after recovering from a calf injury, while Les Ferdinand is likely to be on the bench as Chris Armstrong and Steffen Iversen continue up front.

Wimbledon v Coventry

Michael Hughes will not undergo hernia surgery while the Dons have a chance of a Wembley final and will play against Coventry, but Carl Cort is on stand-by with Carl Leaburn a doubtful starter.