Journalist says Archer will join Villa first-team next season

Cameron Archer has been enjoying his loan spell at Preston North End, scoring seven goals in 19 Championship games since joining in January, and it appears he’ll be rewarded with a place in Aston Villa’s first-team when he returns.

That’s according to Ashley Preece of Birmingham Live who said in his Q&A: ‘(Steven) Gerrard does have an eye on a new, experienced No.9, (but) Cameron Archer will be promoted next season.’

The 20-year-old scored just two goals with one assist from 17 games for the U18s but scored 17 goals with seven assists from 36 games with the U23s. Archer has made six first-team appearances for Villa, scoring four goals, so it’s hardly a secret that he has potential.

Whether he would get playing time with Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings for competition remained to be seen, however, but Preece’s latest update is great news for all parties. Archer hasn’t let Villa down when called upon and Gerrard should be excited to have a ruthless striker in his ranks.

The 20-year-old has a bright future Villa Park and has a manager who provides youngsters with opportunities – Gerrard has given minutes to four U20 players and eight U21s this season. The 18-year-old Tim Iroegbunam was even handed his first Premier League start in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Norwich City, so Archer should be confident that his hard work will be rewarded in 2022/23.

In other news, Ashley Preece gives worrying update on Douglas Luiz