In a recent interview with Football Insider, former Premier League defender Alan Hutton revealed that he thinks Aston Villa full-back Matt Targett deserves a new contract. Hutton said,
“It did take him a little bit of time to get going.
“Obviously, Neil Taylor was there in front of him, I think Targett had a few issues at the start of his Villa career. However, he’s gone from strength to strength, he’s a solid player. You know what you’re going to get.
“He is going to be a 7/10 every single week which is good for the manager. Smith trusts him, he understands what he’s going to get from him.
“He deserves a new contract, I think he’s done really well. He’s Mr. Reliable so you want people at your club.
“I think this summer they’ll bring somebody in to give him that competition with Neil Taylor probably leaving.”
Targett’s Impressive Season At Villa Park So Far
Targett has been a solid presence on the left side of Dean Smith’s defence as he has produced a run of consistent displays for the Villans this season. However, the English left-back needs to be more productive in the final third as he has picked up just one assist in 31 matches for the West Midlands outfit this term across various competitions.
However, the 25-year-old deserves a pat on the back for being a strong presence for Dean Smith’s side on the defensive end of the field because he is averaging 2.3 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 2.2 clearances per game in the Premier League this season. Still, he could distribute the ball a bit better from the left flank after making 76.4% of his attempted passes in top-flight football (stats via whoscored).
Why The Villans Need To Keep Hold Of Targett For The Long-Run
Targett is a moderately paced full-back who can make some driving runs with the ball down the left-wing. He is also capable of delivering some inviting crosses into the opposition penalty box but needs to improve his productivity in the attacking third if he intends to become a success story at Villa Park.
What makes the English defender such a valuable member of Smith’s squad is his ability to be a solid defensive presence at the back. He can time his tackles well and has got the hunger to win possession back for his side. Plus, Targett is not afraid to clear the danger when required and has got a good work ethic. Hence, the Villans should try everything in their power to keep him happy for the long run.
At 25, the English sensation is about to enter his prime which is why it is essential that Smith ties him down to a new deal so that he can get the best out of the player in the years to come. Targett is currently under contract with the West Midlands giants until the summer of 2023, so there is still plenty of time for Smith to agree on a new contract with the talented full-back if he wants to keep hold of him for the long term.
