Aston Villa fans have savage reaction to seeing Gareth Southgate on the big screen vs Man Utd

England manager Gareth Southgate is attending the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester United - but his appearance hasn't gone down well.

Southgate is regularly seen at English top division matches in order to watch players that are in contention for future Three Lions squads.

The 53-year-old will name his next squad for upcoming matches against Brazil and Belgium next month, with stars from both United and Villa having staked their claim for inclusion over recent months.

Southgate is at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon - the home of one his former clubs.

But if you thought he would get a good reception, you would be wrong, with fans loudly booing his appearance on the big screen during the first half.

Great reaction to Gareth Southgate on the big screen at Villa Park#ASTMUN pic.twitter.com/KxPAnolBk3

— Al O’Pocket (@BURNAaccBOY) February 11, 2024

Southgate played for Villa between 1995 and 2001, making 191 appearances in all competitions and helping his side to win the 1996 League Cup - their last major trophy to date.

He also played a key role in the Villa team that reached the 2000 FA Cup final, with John Gregory's side losing to Chelsea at Wembley.

But he put in a transfer request that summer prior to Euro 2000.

Villa didn't grant Southgate's request, and rejected a bid from Chelsea, but the Three Lions defender did get his move the following year.

But his decision to join Middlesbrough, who were of a similar stature to Villa in terms of Premier League quality at the time, didn't go down well with fans.

Speaking about the transfer request after leaving the club, he said (quotes via Birmingham Mail): "I was very conscious of the fact that, when you put in a transfer request, a lot of players are accused of lacking effort and not performing, but I probably played as well last year as at any time in my career.

"Ninety-five per cent of the Villa fans have been very supportive of me. They're very frustrated themselves, but the last thing I wanted to do was leave firing bullets left, right and centre."