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Preston North End are currently right on track to achieve automatic promotion.

It’s essential for the club, given their shocking play-off record, and there’s even a slim chance of them catching leaders Bristol City if they can maintain their current run.

Leading the way for PNE are Callum Robinson and Daniel Johnson, both products of the Villa youth academy.

Rewind to the end of January. The mood at Deepdale is grim. Their play-off spot looks to be slipping away from them following a poor run of form.

They’ve just been denied a trip to Wembley over two legs by Walsall in the Football League Trophy and they’ll need to go away to Sheffield United in the FA Cup to progress after spurning the chance to win at home.

Manchester United are drawn and some fans even begin to call for Simon Grayson’s head.

Preston wisely return for Callum Robinson, overlooked at Aston Villa despite the fact that, at the time, they desperately needed a little inspiration.

The striker is hugely popular in the North-West following an earlier spell in the season. He gets a chance to play first team football and Preston get a little depth. An easy decision all round.

Also travelling up the M6 is Daniel Johnson for a fee of just 50k.

Not a tiny fee for League One club with a past of financial difficulties, but inconsequential for a side the size of Aston Villa.

The effect that Johnson has had at Preston is incredible. Five goals and an assist only hint at the talent the player has. A player that can dribble and pass like Johnson can at League One level is rare.

Preston fans have been heard singing about their good luck at getting him for such a small fee. His value has probably increased tenfold already.

The tables above and below show how Preston have turned their season around since adding the Villa youngsters to their ranks.

At the moment, Aston Villa are on the up and that’s great news. Preston are benefiting from the fruits of Aston Villa’s youth system.

Without getting carried away, you could put forward an argument saying that, if achieved, their promotion will have cost them 50k. The financial rewards will be far greater.

Along with their own sense in the transfer and loan market, and not forgetting the contribution of the mercurial Joe Garner, Preston North End could be feeling very grateful to Aston Villa come the end of the season.