Unai Emery is reportedly eyeing a sensational move for Lewis Miley, but the Magpies are prepared to fight off interest from Arsenal and Man City for their future captain.
Aston Villa are not slowing down. Following the successful return of Douglas Luiz in January, Unai Emery is already plotting his next midfield masterstroke. The target? Newcastle United’s teenage sensation, Lewis Miley.
The 19-year-old has become one of the most coveted young profiles in the Premier League. While Villa have been linked with a £70m move for Morgan Gibbs-White, reports from SportsBoom suggest that Miley has now become a primary focus for the Villa Park scouting department.
The “Steven Gerrard” Comparison
It isn’t just the fans who are excited about Miley’s potential. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has previously drawn parallels between the youngster and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, noting their similar physical frames and box-to-box capabilities.
“Steven Gerrard is a great one to look at. Same frame as Lewie… he has that yard of pace and can go box-to-box. Lewis can be anything he wants to be,” Howe remarked.
By The Numbers: Why Miley is a Generational Talent
Despite his age, Miley has been a model of consistency for the Magpies this season. His statistical output highlights a player who is far more mature than his years suggest.
Lewis Miley: 2025/26 Premier League Stats:
- Average Rating: 7.18 (2nd highest in Newcastle squad)
- Interceptions per 90: 1.4 (Ranked 3rd at the club)
- Goal Contributions: 1 goal, 3 assists in 19 matches.
- Contracted until: 2029
The Transfer Battle: Can Villa Win the Race?
Securing Miley’s signature will be anything but easy. Newcastle view the midfielder as a future captain and are reportedly unwilling to even entertain offers in the £50m – £60m range.
Furthermore, Villa face stiff competition from Manchester City and Arsenal, both of whom are keen to add the “incredible” prospect to their ranks. However, with Villa Park erupting after their recent 1-0 win over Brighton and the club firmly in the hunt for European football, the project under Unai Emery could be a tempting proposition for the young star.
With Douglas Luiz back and performing at an elite level (7.4 SofaScore rating vs Brighton), adding a player of Miley’s ceiling could solidify Villa’s midfield for the next decade.
Ronald Mike is a football writer covering the English Premier League, providing match analysis, tactical insight, and coverage of key rivalries and title races across the season.
