Alan Hutton: Cameron Archer not quite ready to be Aston Villa main man
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Alan Hutton believes that Cameron Archer is not quite ready to be one of Steven Gerrard’s first-choice strikers at Aston Villa.
The 20-year-old featured heavily for Villa during the preseason and was rewarded with a new five-year deal.
Hutton thinks that Archer is well suited to a backup role at present, despite speculation growing over Ollie Watkins’ future at the club.
“He could possibly step up, although it is probably a little bit early for him at this moment in time,” Hutton told Villa News.
“I think he’s done ever so well and the loan move at Preston last season really helped him.
“Obviously Steven Gerrard wants to keep him and that’s why he has allowed Keinan Davis to leave on loan.
“I think he’s back up at this moment in time where he can come on and make an impact.
“I think it would be an awful lot for him to have make an impact week in and week out with limited experience.
“Where he is now at the moment is good for him where he will get chances in games but I don’t think he’s ready to be that focal point.
“I would be very surprised if he allows Watkins to leave.”
CBS journalist Ben Jacobs has suggested (via Twitter, 14 August) that Crystal Palace and Leeds United are both monitoring Watkins’ situation at Villa Park after reports of unrest between the striker and Gerrard.
If Watkins does leave the club then it would be interesting to see if Gerrard utilises Archer more regularly, or if he delves back into the transfer market for another forward.
In other Aston Villa news, the club are still willing to allow Kortney Hause to leave the club.