Premier League: Aston Villa sign former England U-21 international Matt Target from Southampton

Aston Villa have signed former England Under-21 international Matt Targett from Southampton, the newly-promoted Premier League club said on Monday. [caption id=“attachment_6914371” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Matt Targett. Reuters[/caption] Villa did not disclose the fee but British media reported that they paid Southampton an initial 11 million pounds ($13.91 million) for Targett, who struggled to break into the Saints team with Ryan Bertrand holding on to the left-back spot. Academy graduate Targett featured 21 times for Southampton last season, and made 63 appearances overall for the club since making his senior debut five years ago. “We’re very pleased to have Matt join us. He’s a player we have been looking at for a considerable amount of time. He fits our criteria of being a young player with experience of playing in the Premier League and having the potential to develop further. He will help make us a stronger defensive unit and we are all looking forward to working with him,” Villa manager Dean Smith told the club website. Dean Smith’s side have signed Spanish winger Jota and Dutchman Anwar El Ghazi, defender Kortney Hause and Brazilian striker Wesley after their Championship play-off final win over Derby County in May. Villa, back in the top flight after a three-season absence, kick off their Premier League campaign against Tottenham Hotspur on 10 August.