‘I was quite surprised’: Matt Targett makes Aston Villa transfer claim

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On-loan Newcastle defender, Matt Targett, has stated that he was ‘quite surprised’ that Aston Villa signed someone of the ‘calibre’ of Lucas Digne from Everton in January, as he told talkSPORT (16/02/22 at 9:35 am).

During the winter transfer window, Targett moved to Newcastle United on a loan deal from Villa – weeks after the club signed Digne from Everton.

Last season, Targett, who was Villa’s only bonafide left-back, won the club’s Players’ Player of the Year, as well as being nominated for the Fans Player of the Year award.

Despite being near-on faultless last season, it was more of an indifferent campaign this time around for the former Southampton man.

Added with Steven Gerrard’s arrival and his want to bring in another left-back, it all played a part in him heading for the exit door on a temporary basis.

Whilst Targett expected Villa to sign a left-back last month, he admitted that he didn’t think they would sign someone like Digne, which was ‘quite hard’ to take.

“It was a difficult decision (to leave),” said Targett. “Last season, especially, I was the only left-back.

“I knew the club wanted to sign a left-back. But I was quite surprised when they signed someone like Lucas Digne. Obviously, he was out there, at the time. The club had to do what they had to do.

“It was quite hard to take to sign someone of that calibre. But if that’s where the club wants to go, then I completely respect that.

“At the same time, I am 26. I don’t want to be sitting on the bench. I want to look back on my career and I have played as many Premier League games as I can possible, so that’s one of the main reasons.”

From the perspective of Villa fans, it’s pretty healthy having players like Digne and Targett to choose from as your left-backs.

On one hand, Digne is far better going forward, whilst the Englishman is much better from a defensive aspect.

But given Targett’s explanation, it’s understandable why he wanted to leave and, at the end of the day, there are plenty of players who would have been happy to sit on the bench and take the money.

Targett’s comments are also probably a sign that he will leave in the summer for good because Digne isn’t going anywhere soon, so it would be a crying shame if he does leave.