Matt Targett's impressive form for Aston Villa perhaps suggests that Southampton were unwise to sell him to the Birmingham-based club in the summer of 2019.

The Saints academy graduate ended his time with the club last year, as he joined Dean Smith's Villa side in a deal worth £11.5m following Villa's promotion to the Premier League.

The 25-year-old was in very solid form for the Villans last season, averaging a 6.86 rating across his 28 appearances in the top-flight (per WhoScored).

This was despite Villa only staying up on the final day and having one of the worst defensive records across the season, shipping 67 goals in the top-flight.

Targett's individual performances have been slightly worse than last season thus far, with the defender having averaged a 6.71 rating across his seven appearances in the top-flight (per WhoScored).

However, he has started each of their seven games in the Premier League, which has seen the Villans win five times, keeping four clean sheets in the process, which suggests that they are a lot more defensively solid than last season, something which Targett should be praised for his part in.

During his time with the Saints, the left-back would make 63 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal and providing six assists (per Transfermarkt).

The 25-year-old also showed his quality in a loan spell with Fulham in 2017/18, as he averaged a superb 7.20 rating across his 21 appearances in the second division (per WhoScored).

Considering Ralph Hasenhuttl's lack of options at left-back at the moment, with Ryan Bertrand and Sam McQueen out injured, whilst Jake Vokins is perhaps a little too inexperienced to be starting in the Premier League at the moment, Targett could have been the perfect man to challenge Bertrand for a starting spot in the Saints squad.

The left-back was seemingly a popular member of the Saints dressing room too, with current captain James Ward-Prowse full of praise for Targett when speaking to Hampshire Live ahead of their game against Aston Villa in October, with the midfielder saying:

“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.”

It will be interesting to see if the ace continues to impress with Villa and whether Southampton end up regretting letting him go in 2019.