‘This kid is a bit special’ - Steven Gerrard transfer decision reaps huge rewards for Aston Villa

Aston Villa youngster Cameron Archer popped up with another decisive goal for loan club Preston North End on Saturday.

The 20-year-old striker has been in red-hot form this season since returning to Villa Park from a loan spell at local side Solihull Moors.

He netted a hat-trick in the Carabao Cup win over Barrow in August and followed it up with a stunning header in Villa’s defeat to Chelsea in the third round.

Archer was handed three substitute appearances in the Premier League by former Villa boss Dean Smith, but he wasn’t able to force his way into Steven Gerrard’s front-line.

Gerrard instead brokered a deal with close friend Ryan Lowe, manager of Preston, for Archer to join the Championship side on loan until the end of the campaign.

Archer marked his debut for the Lilywhites with a goal just 11 minutes after stepping off the bench to clinch a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

And he scored another important goal to help Preston defeat Hull City 1-0 today, meaning the Lilywhites have taken eight points from the four games Archer has played.

Shortly after half-time at the MKM Stadium, Archer collected Ben Whiteman’s cross before firing home emphatically.

George Hodgson, the Preston writer for our sister title LancsLive, reported: “This kid is a bit special! Pinpoint Whiteman pass; ice cold touch and finish. Archer sends the PNE fans wild. He's been outstanding all game.”

Archer is already enjoying success under former EFL goal-getter Lowe, who will no doubt be thanking his lucky stars that Gerrard is in place at Villa Park.

Explaining how Preston snared in-demand forward Archer, Lowe said: "I've monitored Cameron for some while and when Stevie gets the job at Villa, I've bombarded him with