The interesting Aston Villa view on Newcastle United’s ‘massive’ turnaround

Members of the Aston Villa playing squad have praised Eddie Howe and his Newcastle United players’ incredible turnaround.

That’s according to Matt Targett, who is currently on loan from Villa Park, though is interested in sealing a permanent switch to Tyneside.

When the 26-year-old left-back joined on January transfer deadline day, the Magpies sat in the relegation zone with just 15 points from 25 games.

Fast forward to now however and United, quite remarkably, are 11th in the table and 15 points above the drop zone after reaching 40 points on Wednesday night with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.

Having at one stage been nowhere near, Newcastle currently sit above the likes of Palace and Villa ahead of the remaining five games of the campaign.

Indeed, the turnaround of Targett and his Magpies teammates has not gone unnoticed in the Midlands.

The Aston Villa view on Newcastle’s turnaround

“Everyone says how well the manager and the players here have done in turning it around,” Targett told reporters, after being asked what his Villa mates think about Newcastle’s form.

“I think this was quite a dark, dark place until the new owners came in. That brought a new lease of life.

“The fans lifted the players and we have not really looked back since then. It has been a real massive turnaround.”

Targett jumped at the opportunity to join Newcastle in January after the full-back’s game time was set to be reduced at Villa following Lucas Digne’s £25million arrival from Everton.

The view from the outside - under Mike Ashley

In a period where most people were tipping the worst for United, the former Southampton academy graduate had full belief the team would survive in the top-flight.

Targett said: “Looking at it from the outside, I always thought the squad was too good to go down and obviously, coming in at the end of January along with a few more signings, it has given the team a boost.

“The manager the coaching staff, everyone has been brilliant. That all works.

“We are fighting for each other in training and on match days. But it has been some turnaround and we have got to that magical 40 points.”

Permanent move for Targett?

Having spoken about his future after the 2-1 win over Leicester City on Sunday, Targett again stated his intention to stay at St James’ Park on a permanent basis.

He said: “It has been great fun, I have really enjoyed my time here. The boys and staff have welcomed me, the fans have been brilliant with me so I can only speak highly about the club.

“I have really enjoyed my time so we will see what happens. I hope something does get sorted.”