Danny Wright

Fri 9 December 2022 13:01, UK

Cameron Archer’s lack of first-team minutes was a major talking point at Aston Villa before Steven Gerrard was sacked in October.

Archer, 21, had played just four times in the 2022/23 Premier League for Gerrard with all of those appearances coming as a substitute and amounting to just 28 minutes.

Since he was sacked, Archer’s still not played much, appearing as a substitute in two of four games and just once under new manager Unai Emery, who played the young striker for seven minutes of the 2-1 win over Brighton on 13 November.

Gerrard’s reluctance to play Archer, especially while Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins were misfiring in front of goal, was a constant source of frustration for Villa fans.

It was also something that struck a nerve with Gerrard when he perceived Birmingham Mail journalist Ashley Preece to be constantly asking about him. Speaking to Preece on 2 October, the now-former Villa boss said: “You’re a fan of Cameron, you, aren’t ya? Or are you a mate of the family? Something’s going on because you’ve asked me 25 questions this year and I reckon 19 have been on Cam Archer. You’re a fan aren’t ya?”

Preece was simply doing right by the fans, asking the manager why he’s not playing a top young talent despite more senior players struggling week after week.

Fans’ faith in Archer is completely justified too.

Last season, the Walsall-born striker scored seven goals in 20 Championship appearances after joining Preston on loan in January.

He netted against West Brom on his debut and followed that up with a goal in March aganst eventual-promotion-winners Bournemouth.

The England Under-21 international was on fire at Deepdale but his career has come to somewhat of a halt back in the West Midlands.

Emery will no doubt have seen a lot of Archer since he was appointed as Gerrard’s successor.

However, with Ings and Watkins in his squad and potentially some money to buy a new striker in January, that leaves Archer is a position where going out on loan again makes sense.

Speaking to LancsLive on Friday (9 December), Preston manager Ryan Lowe confirmed that if Villa are willing to send Archer out on loan again, he’ll be their top target for January.

“Everyone knows he’s our number one choice if he becomes available,” said Lowe. “I’ve got to respect Unai Emery, with what he wants to do with Cam and the football club. Until then, we cannot disclose anything because he’s not our player. We won’t be the only club interested.”

Speaking about Archer’s lack of game time at Villa Park, Lowe added: “He’s a fantastic talent and that’s why he was well loved here. I think he will be champing at the bit to play footy, definitely, like most youngsters who are in Premier League teams and not playing. The most important thing for any young lad is to be playing football. It’d be unfair of me to keep talking about him, but if and when he becomes available then we’ll act.”

Archer’s contract at Aston Villa doesn’t expire until 2027 so the club holds most of the cards – not all of the cards – when it comes to the 21-year-old’s future.

But they don’t want someone unhappy on their books – and they certainly don’t want to be seen as holding back a bright young talent.

While that would not only have a negative effect on Archer’s development, it could have implications for Villa’s academy as a whole when it comes to recruiting players locally or from across the UK.

Villa don’t want to be seen as a new financial superpower who’d rather keep throwing money at their problems instead of nurturing their own youthful talent.

A lot of work has gone into improving Villa’s academy in recent years and Archer’s rise through the ranks is proof of the improvement.

However, holding him back to the point he’s barely kicking a ball benefits no one.

Whether it’s Preston or someone struggling a bit in the Championship, it doesn’t matter where Archer goes in January, really.

It just matters that he’s treated with respect and is allowed to play competitive, men’s football.

In other Aston Villa news, it’s time for Watkins to start showing some composure in front of goal.