James Ward-Prowse admits he is “pleased” to see Matt Targett doing well at Aston Villa, ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash with Southampton.
The two sides lock horns at Villa Park on Sunday lunchtime, with Dean Smith’s men looking to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat at home to Leeds United last time around.
Targett has been a very solid performer for Villa since joining from Saints in 2019, making the left-back spot his own this season.
The 25-year-old and Ward-Prowse were teammates at St Mary’s, maturing together as players there.
Speaking to HampshireLive, Ward-Prowse heaped praise on his former colleague, admitting he is happy to see him succeeding:
Matt [Targett] is a great lad, I had lots of good memories and times with him here.
A new challenge came for him and he has gone there and worked hard and sustained himself in the Aston Villa team, and I am pleased to see him doing so well.
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Targett may not be the most expansive full-back in the world, but he has done a strong job for Villa since arriving.
He hasn’t missed a single minute of league action yet this season, playing a key role in a defence that has only conceded five times to date.
Targett will again be an important figure this weekend, with Villa sure to be tested by a Southampton side buoyed by their 2-0 win over league leaders Everton last weekend.
An improved performance from the Leeds game is badly needed, in order to avoid consecutive defeats.
