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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Aston Villa have certainly enjoyed the last week or so.
After they opened their 2019/20 account with two straight defeats to Tottenham and then Bournemouth, they have since recorded their first Premier League victory of the season as well as trouncing Crewe Alexandra in the Carabao Cup.
It now also means that all of their 12 summer arrivals have made their debuts or have at least featured this season – a few were returning players who were only at Villa Park on loan last season.
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Amongst those was Matt Targett, who made his first start of the season on Tuesday night at left-back but only could manage 43 minutes after picking up a hamstring injury, meaning he could be out of action for the next week or two.
Neil Taylor has been Dean Smith’s preferred choice in the Premier League this season, starting him in all three matches, rewarding him for his contribution in getting the club into the top-flight.
Though, Targett’s injury may be problematic in the short-term.
On the Chalkboard
Smith has told his players that they need to earn their place this season, which suggests it’s only a matter of time before Taylor faces the axe from the starting XI.
Of the 16 players used in the Premier League, the Welshman ranks 13th overall for average rating at 6.54 with only Tom Heaton below him of players that have started a game this season.
By playing Targett on Tuesday, the Villa boss was surely getting a look at whether he has stepped up to what has been asked of him, so the injury has come at a miserable time.
When comparing the 30-year-old’s season so far, his first back in the top-flight since 2017, you’ll learn that their summer signing has so much more to offer at left-back.
Offensively, Taylor has registered just 0.3 key passes without a single assist this season whilst Targett averaged 1.4 key passes per game in his 13 starts for Southampton and picked up three assists in that time.
The 23-year-old also recorded more interceptions at 1.7 per match whilst they were on par for tackles per game at 1.7, per WhoScored.
Taylor’s poor form meant a league outing for Targett was surely on the horizon but now he’ll have to wait even longer.
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