Dean Smith: Hard work can put Aston Villa's Matt Targett in England frame

The 24-year-old will line-up against former club Southampton on Saturday in a relegation six-pointer at Villa Park.

Targett joined Villa from the Saints in a £14million switch back in July but played second fiddle to Neil Taylor during the opening weeks of the season, with Smith revealing he was unhappy with his new signing’s pre-season fitness levels.

The former England under-21 international has now started Villa’s last 11 league games after battling his way into the team.

But Smith believes there is more to be done if Targett is to fulfil his true potential.

“There is potentially an England left-back there but he has to go and push himself,” said the boss.

“Matt knows that and we have had regular conversations about it. His fitness was not where I wanted it at the start of pre-season. He was made aware of that and he agreed.

“He has worked really hard to get to where he is now but there is still a lot of work left for him to do.”

Targett, who was a member of the Saints academy from the age of eight, has undergone extra gym sessions in order to build up his physical strength.

Smith added: “He is getting stronger. Technically there are no questions. He is a very gifted footballer. Sometimes it is that other little bit of pushing himself.”

Villa, 17th in the Premier League, head into the game above the Saints only on goal difference after a run of six defeats in eight matches. Smith's men also face Norwich and Watford, the other two teams below them, over the festive period.

"We've just got to come through a real, tough fixture list I've reeled off many times which started at Manchester City away," said the boss.

"Now we're playing sides around us and I said to the players, Villa Park's massive for us. The results that we get there, the performances. Our support has been fantastic. With the exception of Leicester City, no-one has had an easy ride at Villa Park and I can see that continuing.

"To come out of that Sheffield United game knowing you've got Liverpool at home, Southampton at home and Norwich at home, it gives everyone that confidence if we win tomorrow the world looks a different place. It's down to us to perform and our supporters have been our 12th man."