Matt Targett to join Aston Villa

Southampton will sell left-back Matt Targett to Aston Villa in a £14 million transfer deal next week, with the 23-year-old England under-21 international set to sign a four year contract at Villa Park. Targett has been a long-term target for Villa and arrives as the club's first major transfer since returning to the Premier League.

Matt Targett has his medical with Villa today before completing the move on Monday morning, with the player opting to leave the Saints as he grows increasingly frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities at St Mary's. Ryan Bertrand remains Southampton's preferred left-sided defender.

Southampton coach Ralph Hasenhuttl is revamping his squad this summer and has been given a transfer budget of near to £32 million to bring in new players, with Birmingham City striker Che Adams believed to be amongst the first ready to join Southampton.

Targett is hopeful that a move to Aston Villa will also boost his opportunity of a call up to the full England international squad and catch the eye of club legend and England manager Gareth Southgate.