Would Aston Villa have troubled the play-offs by signing Everton’s Aiden McGeady?

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Aiden McGeady is starring at Preston North End on loan from Everton – but Aston Villa must regret not making an approach.

Aston Villa have spent big and, for the most part, spent well to rebuild a squad ravaged by relegation. Yet, one nagging regret held by many fans is that they have not used to the loan market effectively enough.

When you consider the impact made by Izzy Brown and Aaron Mooy at promotion chasing Huddersfield Town or Bristol City’s 20-goal Tammy Abraham, you wonder whether Villa would be a lot closer to the play-off positions if they had taken advantage of the stockpiling system employed by the top flight big boys.

Though, if one player could have really made the difference at Aston Villa this season, Aiden McGeady must be near the top of the list. The 31-year-old joined Preston North End on loan in the summer after falling out of favour with Everton.

And the fact that Simon Grayson’s unassuming side headed into April with genuine hopes of crashing the play-offs is testament to McGeady’s influence.

Seven years after leaving Celtic, those south of the border are finally seeing just why the skilful Irishman was once touted as one of Britain’s most exciting prospects. Blessed with bags of ability and creative talent, McGeady has always been a showman but has added end product and consistency to his game under Grayson.

A tally of seven league goals is his best since 2010 while another eight assists means he has developed into an invaluable team-player.

And Villa could certainly do with his ability to create something out of nothing. That they have a genuine chance of finishing in the top half is more due to the fact they have conceded just twice in an unbeaten nine game run.

Villa are the lowest scorers in the Championship’s top 12 and a lack of creativity has prevented them from turning the frequent draws into priceless wins. In fact, it’s not a stretch to suggest that Villa may have been troubling the play-offs with McGeady in their side.