Preston North End have enjoyed a steady season in the Championship this time round, staving off the threat of relegation and finding themselves in a comfortable mid-table position of 11th.

Manager Simon Grayson has done a tremendous job, and has used the transfer market wisely over the course of the season to make sure his squad achieves the very best it can.

Indeed they only sit nine points off a play-off position, and with 15 games to play, some would argue their is a slight chance they could gatecrash the top six.

If they are to do this though, then they will need reinforcements, and Grayson may well look to the Premier League to see what quality is available.

One such team he could look at, is Aston Villa, who are enduring a torrid season and look set for relegation to the Championship themselves.

Here, FLW's Lee Connor takes a look at THREE players Preston could sign on loan from Aston Villa......

[ffc-gallery]

PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE THREE PLAYERS!

[/ffc-gallery]

 

Libor Kozak

The giant Czech striker has found himself out of favour under Remi Garde, and failed to make an impression on previous managers Paul Lambert and Tim Sherwood.

Kozak must have something about him though, as Villa paid a hefty fee to acquire his services.

He has only made four appearances this season and will be chomping at the bit to see some first team action.

A move to the Championship may well do him good, and it might be that he just needs to find his feet in the English game.

At 6ft 4, he is ready made to compete in England's second tier, and is someone Preston could look to to add another dimension to their game.

Kieran Richardson

Richardson has been out of favour at Villa park since seeing red during December's game with Sunderland, and loan move might be on the cards for the former Man United and West Brom man.

He has Premier League experience in abundance, and can play in numerous positions, predominantly down the left hand side.

He is the wrong side of 30 now, but still has class and quality in his game, something which could well aid North End as the season draws to a close.

Jordan Lyden

The 20-year-old Australian midfielder has very very recently broken in to the first team squad, and came on during Villa's humiliating defeat to Liverpool last weekend.

Remi Garde might be best served sending him on loan to the Championship to get Lyden some experience of the league, before Villa compete there next season with what is looking an almost certain Premier League relegation coming up.

Lyden is a player of good quality, good on the ball and with an eye for a pass.

Simon Grayson may well want to take a chance on the 20-year=old and see what he can offer his side in the final few months of the season.