Aston Villa supporters have been making a lot of noise in recent times after seeing their side emerge victorious from the Second City derby at the weekend.

Dean Smith’s men went into their encounter with bitter rivals Birmingham City off the back of impressively beating Derby County 3-0 in their previous league clash, thus giving them much confidence ahead of the visit of Garry Monk’s improving Blues. Yet it is Villa fans who have the bragging rights in the city after a 4-2 win for their side at Villa Park, with goals from Jonathan Kodjia, Jack Grealish, Tammy Abraham, and Alan Hutton inspiring Smith’s side to a seventh Championship victory of the campaign.

Thus, there have been many thrilled Villa fans up and down the country in recent times, although several are likely to be turning their attentions towards the January transfer window, and thus what signings their side must seek to make to challenge for promotion.

And one man they must seek to lure to Villa Park, having failed to do so during the summer, is Southampton left back Matt Targett, valued at £6.3 million by Transfermarkt.

Ultimately, while Neil Taylor has on the whole performed well in the left back role this term, starting nine of their 18 Championship matches, he is the only senior left back at Villa Park, with the likes of Hutton and Ahmed Elmohamady, right backs by trade, filling in when necessary.

And while all three have done reasonably well this term, one cannot help but feel that it could become a weakness as the season wears on – teams will surely seek to target that side of the field when attacking against Smith’s men.

And that’s why a move for a more recognised left back like Targett makes complete sense, and as such will no doubt enhance their promotion hopes in the second half of the season.

The Englishman is finding it difficult disposing Ryan Bertrand of the starting role in Mark Hughes’ Southampton team this season, having made just three Premier League appearances so far, albeit he did play the full 90 minutes in their 3-2 defeat at Fulham on Saturday.

And it was at Craven Cottage last year in which the 23-year-old really proved his worth in the Championship, as the defender scored once and laid on two assists in 18 league games for the Cottagers to help them win promotion via the play-offs – he became a regular under ex-boss Slavisa Jokanovic, whose presence allowed Ryan Sessegnon to push further forward.

Thus, not only does Targett have some Premier League experience under his belt, having played 30 times in the top-flight, he also has delivered the goods at Championship level in the not-too-distant past – there’s a reason Villa were interested in him during the summer.

And with the 23-year-old’s short-term prospects at Southampton not looking overly promising, Smith must seek to lure the left back to Villa Park – a move which would significantly enhance his side’s promotion chances in the second half of the season.

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