Newcastle have landed another “real plus” and a potential England contender by completing a loan move for Aston Villa left-back Matt Targett today.
That’s the view from Villa, whose fans are “shocked” at the decision to let Targett leave for Tyneside.
With the Magpies clinching a deal for Targett until the end of the season, Birmingham Live’s Villa reporter Ashley Preece has given us the inside track on the left-back.
DONE DEAL: Matt Targett and Eddie Howe on loan move
And Preece’s message to Newcastle fans is that Targett is another big January boost for the Magpies in their Premier League survival bid.
Q: Obviously Newcastle fans are excited to have Targett for the rest of the season, but is their excitement justified?
AP: I think so knowing the Magpies are bringing in a consistent Premier League performer who, last May, was named players' player of the season down at Villa.
Targett was close to an England call-up last season as well which tells you everything about the form he can carry.
Newcastle, as we know, are going berserk in this window as they look to steer out of relegation trouble and, bringing a player of Targett's quality in, is another real plus.
Q: Was Targett unlucky to be out of the first team at Villa?
AP: A little bit although his form has regressed from last season into this one. Targett suffered a horrendous start this term having picked up an injury in the summer - then he was absolutely rinsed on the the opening day by Ismaila Sarr down at Watford and he's been fighting for form ever since.
The fact Steven Gerrard came in and, within a week of the window opening, went and signed £25million Lucas Digne tells you that the manager wanted to improve his left-back spot at Villa.
The signing of Digne would have hurt Targett - hence his move to the North East.
The opportunity to play first-team football is obviously the key driver behind this deal and good luck to him.
Q: What are Targett’s best assets?
AP: Consistency. He'll be a 7/10 in the player ratings most weeks. He's got good technical ability and he'll look to work with the winger ahead of him. He's decent defensively but probably needs to sharpen up in the final third.
Q: What was Targett’s relationship like with the Villa fans and do you think he’ll have a similar relationship with the Newcastle fans?
AP: Villa fans rated him and the majority are shocked to see him go knowing he would have provided strong competition to Digne. {Steven} Gerrard was asked about Targett last week and said he wants the pair of them fighting for the starting shirt every week.
I think Toon fans will take a liking to Targett because he'll give his all and will no doubt want to prove Gerrard wrong!
Q: Do you think this transfer benefits both clubs after Villa brought Digne in?
AP: It probably benefits Newcastle more knowing Villa are light in terms of cover at left-back now. Ashley Young will be the man tasked with filling Targett's void, although the 36-year-old has preferred to play a little higher under Gerrard.
Q: How do you think Villa fans would react if Targett joined Newcastle permanently after his loan?
AP: It'll be fine. Villa have a proper player with Digne now at left-back. There's talk of signing Aaron Hickey as well from Bologna. I think Targett's career at Villa could well be done now, you know, with a permanent transfer looking likely should Targett impress.
Q: After the acquisition of Digne, is this move good for Targett’s career?
AP: Yes, 100 percent. He would have been warming the bench far too often for his liking at Villa given Digne's start.
Q: If Targett was to play consistently for Newcastle is there a chance he could get an England call up again?
AP: Yes, why not. That's certainly a carrot of Targett's to force his way into the England set-up.
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