Exclusive: Top pundit blown away by Aston Villa left footer he tips for call-up

Gabriel Agbonlahor has claimed Aston Villa defender Matt Targett could earn an England call up if he remains consistent and adds an attacking threat to his game.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley, the former Villa striker admitted the left-back is not at the required level yet but international recognition will be on his mind.

Targett, 25, showed flashes of his attacking quality against Arsenal on Sunday when he provided the cross that was turned in by Bukayo Sako for Villa's first goal in their 3-0 win.

The former Southampton man has 12 caps for England Under-21s but is yet to feature in a senior squad despite Gareth Southgate calling up just one recognised left-back this month.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider: "I've always really rated him.

"When I saw him come in for Ryan Bertrand when he was injured at Southampton, he came in and played really well.

"Obviously, I don't think at the moment he's at the level to probably break into the England squad.

"But, the way he's playing, if he can continue and get some consistency in his performances and keep playing the way he's playing defensively but having that attacking threat as well, there's no reason why he can't himself to break into the senior squad.

"We haven't got a lot of left-backs playing week in, week out for England.

"It's something I'm sure he will have on his mind and he's just got to keep playing like he's playing because he's playing really well at the moment."

Targett has been an ever present for Dean Smith's side this season as they currently sit sixth in the Premier League three points behind top of the table with a game in hand.

In other Aston Villa news, Real Madrid and Barcelona have been tipped to swoop for a Villa "bully".