---
title: "Aston Villa: Fans react as Dean Smith delivers update on Matt Targett"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-dean-smith-delivers-update-on-matt-targett/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "Aston Villa"
published: "2020-07-03T19:00:12Z"
modified: "2020-07-03T19:00:12Z"
---

# Aston Villa: Fans react as Dean Smith delivers update on Matt Targett

**Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has [delivered an update](https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2020/07/03/dean-smith-presser-pre-liverpool) on the injury status of defender Matt Targett after it was [reported](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villas-survival-bid-takes-22282538) he was ruled out for three weeks, prompting fans to react.**

The left-back arrived at Villa Park a year ago and has been a regular in [Smith’s starting XI for the most part this season.](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matt-targett/profil/spieler/250478)

With Villa sat 19th in the Premier League standings and fighting for their top-flight status, Targett’s absence will hand Smith with a selection headache, potentially looking to call on [natural left-back Neil Taylor](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/kadernachposition/verein/405), whilst centre-backs Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause are [also capable of shifting to the left](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/kadernachposition/verein/405).

The 24-year-old was [expected to miss](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villas-survival-bid-takes-22282538) upcoming matches against Liverpool, Manchester United and Crystal Palace, games in which Villa need points to claw themselves out of the relegation zone.

However, Smith has now revealed to the [club’s official website](https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2020/07/03/dean-smith-presser-pre-liverpool) the extent of his injury and it looks like he won’t be out for as long as initially reported.

*“He’s struggling, but it won’t be the reported three weeks out. It’s not as bad as first feared and he could be back for Crystal Palace.”*

Reacting to Smith’s comments via Twitter account @villareport, fans gave a response with many quite critical of Targett, perhaps due to his poor recent form. Indeed in his last two appearances he has managed meagre 6.2 and 6.4 match ratings (via [SofaScore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/matt-targett/368134)).

> Always tricky to work out how long that pretend injury will last 😂
>
> — Andy black (@IRAndyB) [July 3, 2020](https://twitter.com/IRAndyB/status/1278998555886264320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Neil Taylor will be fine for Sunday as we won’t get out of our half anyway [#avfc](https://twitter.com/hashtag/avfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Mark Mahon (@villan\_ginger) [July 3, 2020](https://twitter.com/villan_ginger/status/1278998726481231873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> He just needs to grow a backbone for the fight like 90% of the players
>
> — Wayne Hopkins (@waynehopkins44) [July 3, 2020](https://twitter.com/waynehopkins44/status/1278997629830119426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> £15 million 😂 we got robbed
>
> — Tom Nicholls (@TomNic84) [July 3, 2020](https://twitter.com/TomNic84/status/1279003201228935168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Neil Taylor to the rescue 💪
>
> — Tom Coe (@tomcoe) [July 3, 2020](https://twitter.com/tomcoe/status/1278997971519102982?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Sick note, has withdrawn the sick note. Missed Targett would be a better name……[#AVFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Gary Lennon (@garyjohnlennon) [July 3, 2020](https://twitter.com/garyjohnlennon/status/1279014490915450880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

***How much do you think Villa will miss Matt Targett? Let us know in the comments section below…***