Robinson has shown Aston Villa what they’re missing since 2016 departure

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Aston Villa’s poor transfer record over recent seasons is one of the reasons they find themselves still marooned in the Championship.

Both Roberto di Matteo and Steve Bruce wanted big-money strikers to spearhead their promotion bids; which is not the worst idea on paper but hasn’t worked.

But as important as who comes in can be who is let go and in July 2016, Villa let Callum Robinson, who had been at the club since the age of eight, leave Villa Park to join Preston North End.

That was as they prepared for their first season in the second tier after relegation and while the departure may not have raised many eyebrows at the time, Robinson is certainly showing Villa what they’re missing now.

Robinson has been unfortunate to be ruled out since November with injury, but before that had nine goals to his name from a wide position for Preston.

And in an era where Villa have wasted money on expensive flops and has-beens, Robinson, who came through the ranks at the same time as Jack Grealish, could have been a valuable asset.

But Villa won’t get to see the benefits of their labour – but may regret what might have been, and that should serve as a lesson with their young players of the current era.