Clinton Morrison bang on money with Cameron Archer claim, Aston Villa decision expected soon
Aston Villa loanee Cameron Archer continued his rich vein of goalscoring form at Middlesbrough on the last day of the Championship season and fired yet another reminder to Unai Emery about his sky-high potential.
The England Under-21 international netted his 11th goal from just 20 outings since moving to the Championship club in the January transfer window, as Boro drew 1-1 against Coventry City and finished the regular season in 4th place.
Speaking live on Sky Sports (8 May) during the game, Clinton Morrison waxed lyrical about the predatory instincts of the Villa academy graduate and made his views clear on where he thought Archer’s future lies next season.
“He is a player, he will go back to Villa and he will be amongst their squad next season without a shadow of a doubt,” he said.
“He scores goals for fun. The combination between him and Akpom as a 10. He is just a really good footballer.
“The equaliser he scores, he comes alive in the box Archer, that’s what he does. It’s a poacher’s finish into the roof of the net.”
The 21-year-old remained at Villa Park during the first half of the season under Steven Gerrard but only picked up crumbs of Premier League minutes, with Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings preferred in the central striking positions.
However, after his latest successful loan spell in the Championship and the departure of Ings in the winter window, Archer looks primed and ready for a run in the Aston Villa first-term.
On the future of the prolific forward, Emery told Birmingham Live: “The plan was to play in the Championship every week, or three matches a week.
“In the Championship they play a lot of matches and get experience and get minutes and try to expose him with his best performances.
“There are other players out on loan that we have been following and we have analysed each one and take decisions for the next months.”
If Emery had any doubts about Archer’s ability to cut it in the Premier League, this most recent loan spell should have diminished any fears.
Last season, the youngster found the goalscoring trail at Preston North End with seven goals from 20 appearances, but he has improved this already-impressive output under Michael Carrick this term.
The impression he has left at Boro is evident, with the Championship outfit reportedly looking to turn Archer’s loan spell into a permanent deal at the end of the season if they get promoted to the Premier League. [The Sun, 29 April]
The young striker is ready for the next step up in his career, and Aston Villa must ensure this is in the West Midlands and not at the Riverside Stadium.
In other Aston Villa news, Alan Hutton would love to see Villa sign this “outstanding” player after transfer news emerged.