PNE star Robbo is aiming high

The 21-year-old forward joined PNE for an undisclosed youth compensation fee from Aston Villa last week.

After being on loan three times to North End in the past two seasons, it is a familiar journey which he has made to Lancashire.

However, Robinson sees it as very much a fresh start now that he has severed his links with Villa.

“Leaving Villa was a big thing considering they offered me a new deal,” Robinson told the Evening Post.

“I turned it down because I wanted to get out and show people what I’m about.

“Having been there since I was eight years old, it was a big decision to make.

“But if any time was the right time to leave, than this was it.

“There will be quite a lot of players coming in at Villa and I didn’t want to get overlooked and maybe have to go out on loan again.

“Preston showed an interest again and this was the right move for me.

“I know all of the lads from last season and the year before.

“My aim is to get right in it, start games, show what I’m all about and help the team in any way I can.

“I’m not on loan anymore, there is no longer that safety net so to speak.

“The big thing for me is that things are stable, I know where I am and I don’t have to keep going back to Villa and then coming back.

“When you are on loan, you always have it in the back of your mind that you have a parent club.

“Preston are now my club, they have a really good group of players and the coaching staff are the sort of people to get the best out of me.”

Robinson featured in 43 games for North End during his three loan spells.

The first of that trio of stays was his best, with him scoring five goals in 11 appearances.

He was recalled by Villa in November 2014 after scoring the winner away at Bristol City.

During his time back in the West Midlands, Robinson made the Villa bench a couple of times but did not make an appearance for them.

PNE brought him back to Deepdale in February 2015, only for Villa to recall him ahead of the play-off final.

He spent the first-half of last season on loan at Bristol City, that a largely unhappy period for him.

When that loan ended, Robinson returned to PNE for a third time in January.

In his time at North End, he was mainly used on the left side of the attack.

That is a role Robinson is comfortable with but he’s happy to play anywhere across the front line.

“Wherever the gaffer thinks I’m most effective, I’ll play,” said Robinson.

“On the left, on the right, up front or at No.10, I just want to be in that final third.

“I like to take people on to set up and score chances.”