'Stay at the club' - Arsenal icon sends transfer message to Aston Villa's Nigeria-eligible midfielder

Premier League giants Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool are reportedly monitoring the situation of the England U19 international of Nigerian descent. 

It was previously reported that Chukwuemeka saw his future elsewhere due to a lack of first team opportunities but his situation has changed significantly since Steven Gerrard took over the managerial reins at the Lions.

The promising midfielder has been given minutes in four of the last five matches contested by Aston Villa in the Premier League, most recently against Chelsea.

Merson has advised the Anglo-Nigerian to remain patient in his search for first team football as he's at a club who have a top manager in Gerrard.

"Stay there. You're working under a top manager. You've got a good team there that are going places. Just be patient," Merson said on Sky Sports via Birmingham Live.

"What are you going to do? Drop down another league, go and play in a team where you're working on scraps, not getting the ball...

"He's a player you want to get on the ball and (Villa) are going places. Just be patient. You've got a long time in football. He's not even 20 years of age, just be patient."

Chukwuemeka, Aston Villa's current Academy Player of the Season, has a contract with the club until June 30, 2023.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel