Aston Villa opinion: The Villans signing Matt Targett would be the right move

According to reports from Sky Sports, Aston Villa have signed Southampton star Matt Targett for around £14million. The versatile left-back struggled to break into the team over the last season, making just 16 Premier League appearances.

But that didn’t seem to stop him from contributing with a few goals, four to be exact. That’s a rather impressive amount for a player who has played just 35% of the available minutes this season. However, while he made a string of appearances under Ralph Hassenhuttl, things changed when Matt Targett had a dip in form.

He would only make a handful of appearances after that but that shouldn’t affect any move for Villa. Matt Targett is a wonderful player and someone that has been cultivated by Southampton’s very own prestigious youth academy.  

The 23-year-old’s only move outside the St Mary’s was his loan spell at Fulham, where he flourished. However, things at Southampton haven’t been the same with former Champions League winner Ryan Bertrand the first choice.

That is despite the former Chelsea man’s struggles and Targett finding a rich vein of form for the club.  But that has never affected the young left-back, with him improving everything game after game for the club. His defensive ability has always been there but it has improved over the years as he gains experience via game time.

Not to mention, his past as a winger has helped him make quite an impact offensively, which is what Aston Villa need. The Lions do have Neil Taylor as their only left-back but the Welsh international is 30 years old and that will see him get eaten up in the Premier League.

The Lions have finally managed to find their way back into the Premier League and they now need to stay there. They’ve already started spending heavily with moves for Kortney Hause, Wesley Moraes and even Jota from Birmingham City already completed.

But by adding Matt Targett, Villa have not only got a bonafide Premier League full-back but a player who will only improve from here on in. He’s an exceptional talent, like most of the players that do come through Southampton.

And with time, Targett will improve, given manager Dean Smith’s penance with the younger stars. He’s helped Jack Grealish, Tammy Abraham, James Bree and a few others improve even further.

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Conclusion

Aston Villa have a lot of work to do on their side before they even have a sliver of a chance of surviving the Premier League. They’ve let go of not one but eight players and the need to replace them will be crucial to their survival. Matt Targett fits that bill and with time, the 23-year-old will become a key star for the club.