Aston Villa manager Unai Emery looking at Preston North End's Lewis Dobbin.
(Credit: Imago)
Jacob Raw
Mon 1 June 2026 17:40, UK
Lewis Dobbin has made it clear to Unai Emery that he wants to be given a fair chance at Aston Villa following impressive performances on loan at Preston North End this season.
The winger has spent the campaign putting on the season of his career so far at Deepdale, and has an argument to be in the squad for next season.
Dobbin played 39 out of the 46 games possible in the Championship under Paul Heckingbottom this season, and finished as Preston’s top goal scorer and assister.
The 23-year-old is set to return to Bodymoor Heath this summer following the expiration of his loan deal, and will be available for Emery to use in pre-season.
Dobbin has been excellent for Preston this campaign, and after doing all of his talking on the football field, he’s now doing it off the field.
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Lewis Dobbin sends clear ‘I want’ message to Unai Emery
Dobbin has backed himself to get a “good move” if he were to one day leave the Villans, but does dream of playing in B6.
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Villa signed the Englishman from Everton in 2024, and this season, it’s been third time lucky in terms of loan spells, after underwhelming stays with West Brom and Norwich City in the past.
Area of game Stats
Games 39
Goals 10
Assists 8
Chances created per 90 1.34
Dribbles per 90 1.31
Cross accuracy 22.3%
Dobbin in Championship
Dobbin grabbed 10 goals and assists, 18 attacking involvements in total, which means he returned 0.46 times per game across 39 games and 2619 minutes of football.
The Englishman created an average of 1.34 chances per 90 minutes, as well as completing 1.31 dribbles per game, at a success rate of 40 per cent.
The versatile forward also had a cross accuracy of 22.3 per cent, which ranked among the highest in the division.
Speaking in a recent interview, it feels like Dobbin sent a clear message to Emery, stating he is ready to make the step up at Villa Park.
Lewis Dobbin 🗣️
“I want to take a step forward rather than sideways or a backwards step. I want to try and play at the highest level possible. I think I can do that.”
“So that’s what I’ll aim to do and we’ll see what happens. I speak to Aston Villa weekly.”
“I’ll have to go in… pic.twitter.com/rZ9PYkgQ3z
— 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 (@TotalVilla_) June 1, 2026
The loan ace said, as relayed by Total Villa on X: “I want to take a step forward rather than sideways or a backwards step. I want to try to play at the highest level possible. I think I can do that.
“So that’s what I’ll aim to do, and we’ll see what happens. I speak to Aston Villa weekly. I’ll have to go in after the end of the season, so we’ll see what they say, and hopefully they’ll be really happy with me.”
When does Dobbin’s contract expire?
Dobbin has yet to make a single appearance for the Villans competitively, but has played 70 times combined for Preston, Norwich, and West Brom across the last two seasons.
He even played 15 times in the Premier League for Everton before making the switch to Villa, and even scored once.
Dobbin managed to grab 19 goals and assists in all competitions for Preston this term, and looks ready for the step up.
Lewis Dobbin-Stats-Villa
Credit: Breaking Media
Dobbin is tied down to Villa Park until 2028, which means it’s not a case of Emery and Co. considering if he deserves a new deal or not.
Now, it will be all about whether Dobbin looks ready to make the step up for next season, as failing to impress could see the club cash in on the young forward.
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