Newcastle United have agreed terms on a season-long loan deal for Aston Villa full-back Matt Targett.

The defender has lost his place in the starting line-up at Villa Park since the arrival of boss Steven Gerrard who this month secured the signing of Lucas Digne from Everton.

The deal for Targett is understood to be an initial loan with a view to a permanent transfer at the end of the season.

A 26-year-old former England Under-21 international, Targett broke through at Southampton before joining Villa in the summer of 2019.

He will undergo a medical in the next few hours, and will provide competition for Jamal Lewis and Paul Dummett, both of whom have struggled with long-term injury issues this season. 

Aston Villa fans react to Matt Targett Newcastle switch

Aston Villa fans have taken to social media to give their view on the imminent transfer.

One fan said: “Great player for a relegation battle! Will do well for them.”

“I don’t like this,” added another.

A third joked: “At least Matt Targett can’t start against us and inevitably put in a man of the match performance in two weeks time…”

Although not all fans were sad to see him go.

One fan said: “Don't see it as much of a loss tbh. Completely ineffective without Grealish ahead of him and Digne brings so much more to the table.”

Another added: “Would say that’s the end of Matt Targett in a Villa shirt. Mixed thoughts on his time at Villa. Occasionally brilliant, but always felt he was the weak link in the side.”

“Matt Targett has done a decent job for Villa and seems like a very nice guy. But he isn't remotely near good enough for where Villa want to go,” a third fan said.