Stoke City and Aston Villa are chasing Crewe Alexandra midfielder Luke Murphy.

The 23-year-old has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of Nick Powell who joined Manchester United in the summer, says the Mirror.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has regularly had Murphy watched this season.

But Villa manager Paul Lambert, who is looking to youth, is looking to reunite Murphy with £2 million summer signing Ashley Westwood, who has starred in recent games.