Matt Targett heads for Newcastle in transfer deadline day deal after Gerrard axe

Matt Targett is heading to Newcastle on loan from Aston Villa to get regular games.

Targett was willing to fight for his place at Villa after Lucas Digne's £25million move from Everton earlier this month.

But he has been an unused sub in both games since the Frenchman signed and not played a single minute.

He has now decided to switch to struggling Newcastle, where boss Eddie Howe is desperate for a new left-back. It is a purely temporary switch at this stage which includes no permanent option.

Both Targett and the Toon can then consider their options again in the summer.

Howe played Paul Dummett at left back in the Toon's previous game and he wants more competition for the role where Jamal Lewis and Matt Ritchie have also played.

Targett, 26, only signed a two-year extension last year at Villa until 2025 after originally joining in 2019 from Southampton for £15million.

Targett was rewarded for his fine form last term starting every game in the Premier League as England boss Gareth Southgate considered calling him up for full squad.

But new boss Steven Gerrard, in charge since November, preferred to bring in Digne, who is more creative going forwards.

Villa have been active in the window signing Digne, Calum Chambers, Philippe Coutinho, Robin Olsen and rookie Kerr Smith this month.

Gerrard is also anxious for a new defensive midfielder with Marvelous Nakamba sidelined.

He was very keen on Brighton's Yves Bissouma but Albion have quoted £50m despite his contract expiring next summer.

Villa also targeted Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur but they ended their interest this week clearing the way for him to join Premier League rivals Spurs.

Uruguay ace Bentancur was recommended to Villa boss Gerrard by his ex-Liverpool teammate Luis Suarez. Villa had a bid of £16.5m upfront with an additional £4m worth of bonuses rejected.

Juventus are now poised to complete a £20m deal with Tottenham instead despite Villa scouts attending Bentancur's 13th League start of the season in Juve's 0-0 draw at third-placed AC Milan.

Defensive midfielder Bentancur, who has won three Serie A titles with the Italian giants, has made 26 appearances in total this term.

Newcastle were also interested in Villa veteran Ashley Young.

Young only rejoined Villa last summer on a one-year deal and is a free agent this summer.

It has alerted Premier League strugglers Newcastle and Watford, who are now under new boss Roy Hodgson. But Villa manager Gerrard is a huge admirer of Young's versatility and professionalism.

He doesn't want to lose the former England international who he treats as Villa's de facto club captain.

The former Manchester United ace, 36, has been made aware of interest from Newcastle but the Geordies have cooled their interest after Young opted to stay.

Young has made 13 appearances in his second spell with Villa, including six since Gerrard took charge.

His prospects of filling in at left-back have faded following the £25million arrival of Digne this month from Everton. But Gerrard still values Young highly and can use him at right full-back or higher up the pitch.