(Credit: Getty)

Edward Bazeley

Fri 15 August 2025 12:32, UK

Aston Villa are set to let Lewis Dobbin leave the West Midlands on loan this summer amid interest from Preston North End.

Villa are facing concerns over UEFA’s squad cost rules, which could lead to Unai Emery facilitating departures before the transfer window closes.

Dobbin endured loan spells with both West Brom and Norwich City in the Championship last term, and is set for an imminent second-tier return.

Meanwhile, Preston are keen on Bolton’s George Johnston, who has performed well in League One for the Greater Manchester side.

Preston enter transfer race as Aston Villa make Dobbin exit call

Amid an otherwise quiet transfer window, Villa’s Morgan Rogers has attracted interest from Tottenham.

Meanwhile, as reported by the Lancashire Evening Post on Friday, 15 August, Preston are among a pack of clubs interested in Dobbin.

The report adds that the striker is set to leave Aston Villa on loan imminently amid the advances from Paul Heckingbottom’s men.

Dobbin can succeed at Preston

Football Insider verdict

Dobbin’s loan spell with West Brom last season was far from successful, as the 22-year-old failed to score in 18 appearances for the Baggies.

However, the Aston Villa man enjoyed slightly better form at Norwich, where he scored two goals in 11 outings before his Carrow Road stint was cut short by a calf injury.

While Dobbin is yet to establish himself as a proven goal-scorer in the Championship, he scored one Premier League goal for his former club Everton.

Furthermore, the Villa forward enjoyed a more successful loan spell with Derby County during the 2022/23 season, notching five goals and six assists for the then League One Rams.

Dobbin’s previous exploits suggest that he can succeed in the Championship with Preston if he is given game time in the second tier and stays injury-free.

The fact that Aston Villa enjoyed a Champions League campaign last term shows that Dobbin boasts potential, as he is employed by a high-calibre club.