The Boro boss spent six years of his playing career at Villa Park from 1995 to 2001 but left in unceremonious circumstances as he demanded a move to a bigger club.
Southgate played on for Villa despite being on the transfer list and eventually his big chance arose.
The former England centre-back moved to Teesside's biggest club - Middlesbrough.
The transfer stunned many in the Midlands as they had expected their former captain to join a Manchester United or a Liverpool. Judging by the way he was speaking, only a massive club would do.
But, Middlesbrough it was. And Southgate, in search of silverware, managed to fulfil his dream as he led his new side to a Carling Cup triumph in 2004.
The influential defender also skippered his side in a UEFA Cup final in 2006 which they lost in embarrassing fashion to Sevilla.
Ambition
So was Southgate's decision to leave Villa vindicated?
Well, admittedly his former club didn't win a single trophy during the time that he was at Middlesbrough and to this day Villa's last cup final victory came in 1996 in the Coca-Cola Cup win against Leeds United. Incidentally, Southgate was in the Villa side that day.
However, if you're wondering which side has progressed the most since 2001 then you only have to look at the current Premier League table. Needless to say - the answer is most definitely Villa.
All of the ambition that was apparently lacking during Southgate's tenure in the Claret and Blue backline has finally been found.
Under Randy Lerner, Villa have improved on and off the pitch and the club is now recognised as one of the top six in the Premier League once again.
As for Boro they are currently languishing in the relegation zone and Southgate is more than likely to get another experience of a Coca-Cola sponsored competition next season. Only this time it won't be as sweet as in 1996.
If the Boro boss has one saving grace in the eyes of all Villans it would be the attitude that he has showcased since handing in a transfer request and leaving the Midlands.
Leader
The well-spoken, smartly dressed leader never flinched in his desire to win games for Villa, even with his mind focused elsewhere.
He was a complete antithesis to former teammates Ugo Ehiogu and George Boateng who also followed him to Teesside from Villa. Both Ehiogu and Boateng threw their toys out of the pram.
Both decided that they wanted to play elsewhere and when they came to that conclusion they made it clear that they couldn't play for Villa with the same commitment again.
If those two were traitors, Southgate certainly wasn't. He was ambitious, yes. And he wanted to leave the club, yes. But he never gave up in a Villa shirt and that is to be admired.
That said, there may be a few smirks should Villa relegate Boro on Saturday.
Many of the travelling faithful will be magnanimous in victory. But, at the same time, they would undoubtedly be pleased to see the back of a side that took three players and a few members of coaching staff from them all in the name of ambition eight years ago.