Anthony Onifade

Mon 17 July 2023 10:40, UK

It’s been made abundantly clear that Aston Villa have a burgeoning and enthralling young talent on their hands, one who is ready to take the Premier League by storm and that is Cameron Archer.

The Bodymoor Heath academy product has enjoyed a mature and impressive year developing his game, with which Aston Villa boss Unai Emery must make a serious decision on in the coming weeks.

Archer, 21, played just six times in the Premier League for the Villans early last season before being sent out on a half-season deal to Middlesbrough, a move which turned out to be a stellar decision for all parties.

During his six-month spell under Michael Carrick, the 21-year-old bagged 11 goals and six assists from 20 outings, establishing himself as one of the most prolific and exciting young strikers in the country.

However, his stunning experiences and development didn’t stop there despite Boro’s unfortunate failure to secure Premier League promotion, Archer also formed a part of the England Under-21 European Championship winning team this past month.

The Young Three Lions lifted the trophy for the first time in nearly 40 years after a dramatic last-minute penalty save by James Trafford ensured the Young Lions held on to beat Spain in a historic triumph (8 July).

Villa’s young hitman certainly played his part despite filling in from the bench throughout the tournament, scoring two goals from his five appearances.

And those two goals highlighted a player who now possesses a new-found clinical edge in front of goal and confidence that means the Premier League could be in for one of its historic and fairytale individual success stories.

As per Aston Villa Statto, the striker now boasts six goals for England Under-21s after bagging twice during the tournament, and is averaging a superb goals-per-minute ratio for his country, showcasing his upward trajectory right now and the levels at which he is scoring goals.

Football pundit Alan Hutton certainly believes Archer can make the step up to the Premier League level.

Speaking to Villa News, Hutton said: “Maybe [they move him on] but the question to ask is, ‘where does he go?’.

“Will he go to a top-six team? I don’t think so. That’s not me saying I can’t see it but in the future, he might.

“Moving forward, his best opportunity would be to try and break into the Aston Villa team or going out on loan again at a higher level to get experience of playing week in, week out.“

Villa boss Emery has a burning decision to make in the coming weeks, that much is clear. Does he hand Archer the first-team chances he’s always dreamed of since breaking through? Or does he provide him with another development opportunity elsewhere, this time at a mid-to-low-level Premier League club?

Whatever the Spaniard decides, Archer has got to be playing Premier League football this season, he certainly deserves as much and the stats show he can certainly follow in the footsteps of teammate Ollie Watkins, or even Harry Kane who both shined at Championship level to become household Premier League names.

According to FBRef over the past 365 days, Archer ranks impressively high amongst forwards in the next top eight competitions after Europe’s top-five leagues.

The 21-year-old ranks in the 99th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 minutes, 99th percentile for assists per 90, and 99th percentile for expected assisted goals showcasing his huge levels of influence and performance when both scoring and creating chances.

That is certainly further backed up by his 90th percentile ranking for progressive carries, 88th percentile for successful take-ons and 89th percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 [FBRef]. Not only is Archer a true penalty box predator but a player capable of mixing his game in the final third too.

When a striker possesses such unique and gifted characteristics, to be influential both in scoring goals and creating them which are further backed up by his underlying numbers, there’s no reason why he can’t take the next step in his career and Archer is at the top of that list amongst young strikers currently plying their trades for Premier League clubs.

Regardless of what the Spaniard decides though, the Bodymoor Heath academy graduate will be desperate to prove he has the right to be a part of the English top flight’s new rising star success stories.

In other Aston Villa news, the club’s received a kick in the teeth over this £8.5million transfer reveal.