According to a recent report from the print edition of The Sunday Mirror (19 August, page 64) (via HITC), Aston Villa are interested in a move for defender Matt Targett. The 22-year-old currently plays his football at Premier League side Southampton after coming up through the ranks at St Mary’s, yet the left back has unsurprisingly been unable to dispose Ryan Bertrand of that spot in Mark Hughes’ side.

And Steve Bruce’s Villa are reportedly keen on the £6.3 million-rated defender (as per Transfermarkt), and their disappointment in failing to land fellow left back Joe Bryan earlier this summer would soon be forgotten were they to seal a deal for Targett.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, it looked for all the world that 24-year-old Bryan was going to make the move to Villa Park from Bristol City earlier in the summer, with the defender reportedly having had a medical and on his way to the club’s training ground before learning of Fulham’s interest, prompting him to opt against the Villans in favour of the Cottagers.

In fact, Villa boss Boss admitted that his side were only ’15 minutes' too late in trying to complete the deal, which is sure to have come as a blow to the former Hull City boss, especially given the left back department at Villa Park currently boasts just Neil Taylor.

And while there is little doubting that the hugely talented Bryan, who has since started both of Fulham’s Premier League matches, would have seriously bolstered the left back department at Villa, Targett’s arrival would do just that as well.

The 22-year-old has failed to make either of Hughes’ matchday squads for Southampton’s opening two Premier League games to underline his lowly position in the pecking order, with it highly unlikely that he’ll overthrow England international Bertrand in the left back ranks.

In fact, the defender spent the second half of last season on loan at newly-promoted Fulham in helping them seal victory via the play-offs to earn a return to the Premier League, with Targett clearly doing his bit in appearing in all 21 of their league games, including their three play-off matches, following his arrival back in January.

Thus, not only would the 22-year-old bring genuine quality to the left back department, what with Targett adept defensively but also on the ball in moving out of defence into more attacking areas, but he’d also bring promotion-winning experience to a Villa side that fell agonisingly short last season.

So while there is sure to be some disappointment still lingering around Villa Park following the failed Bryan deal, that disappointment would soon be forgotten were they to lure Targett to the Midlands.

Villa fans… what do you think? Let us know!