Targett outlines decision to leave Villa, hints at permanent Toon move

Matt Targett has revealed that it was difficult to take Aston Villa’s decision to replace him with Lucas Digne.

The left-back joined Newcastle on loan during the same window as Digne’s arrival from Everton.

He made his debut during the Magpies’ 3-1 win over the Toffees last week but was ineligible against his parent club as Villa lost 1-0 at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Trippier out and in comes jeopardy for Newcastle United

The Geordies are rising up the Premier League table after a positive January transfer window which saw four other new faces come in.

Newcastle are now out of the relegation zone, four points above Norwich in 18th, after winning three games in a row.

They are only six points behind the Villans, who face Watford on Saturday.

And Targett has discussed his departure from Villa Park, saying that he was “surprised” at the calibre of player who came in to play in his position.

“It was a difficult decision because obviously I was pretty much the only left-back last season,” Targett said (quotes via Birmingham Mail).

“I knew the club wanted to sign a left-back, I was quite surprised when they signed someone like Lucas Digne.

“Obviously he was out there at the time and the club had to do what they had to do. It was quite hard to take when they signed someone of that calibre – but if that’s where the club wants to go then I completely respect that.”

Targett insists that he doesn’t want to return to Villa to play second fiddle to Digne, indicating that a permanent move to Newcastle could be on the cards.

“But at the same time, I’m 26 and I don’t want to be sitting on the bench. I want to look back on my career knowing that I’ve played as many Premier League games as possible.

“So that was probably one of the main reasons.”