Unai Emery could abandon plans to seal Aston Villa exit for Cameron Archer as Ollie Watkins hits rough patch again
Aston Villa academy graduate Cameron Archer has attracted a whole host of interest over the past weeks but manager Unai Emery could shelve those plans as Ollie Watkins hits a goal-shy patch.
According to Daily Mail journalist Simon Jones (21 August) Leeds United and Southampton are battling it out for Archer’s signature along with Swansea City striker Joel Piroe.
Archer, 21, is thought to be available with Aston Villa ready to let him go, and Middlesbrough, where he spent half of last season on loan, are also expected to be in the running to bring him back.
Jones also reported on 22 August that the Villans are fielding a number of enquiries for the youngster which could well see him leave Villa Park over the coming days, but with Emery short of backup striker options and no news regarding a move for one, there’s still a chance that Archer holds a future in the West Midlands yet.
The Bodymoor Heath academy product has enjoyed a mature and impressive year in the Championship, enjoying a terrific loan spell at Middlesbrough.
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 in 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 Archer may well be ready for a starting berth in the Premier League.
It’s quite baffling that the Villans are open to allowing him to depart as Ollie Watkins simply cannot be expected to start every game, with a new European territory on the horizon in the coming days and weeks.
Archer, despite his youth and inexperience at the highest level, could still become a useful alternative to Emery, but also do his experience the world of good as he mixes his game with the elite defenders both domestically and on the European front.
More crucially, right now, Watkins is enduring one of his goal-shy spells again. In his last nine Premier League games, the England international has hit just one goal, coming against Brighton on the last day of the 22/23 campaign [SofaScore].
He also underwent a similar tough spell last season where he went five games without scoring after his stunning purple patch which saw him score 11 goals from 12 Premier League games and had Emery possessed a capable and experienced goalscorer to back him up during that tough spell, only God knows where the Villans may have finished last season.
Certainly, youngster Jhon Duran provided a stunning glimpse of his youthful exuberance, scoring his first goal for the club against Everton on Sunday in a 4-0 win, but the 19-year-old is still learning his trade and shouldn’t be relied upon to deliver so soon, especially if Watkins gets injured.
Archer, who has already enjoyed previous spells in the Championship is ready-made for the next level.
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, marking him out a superb option in playing behind Watkins as a second-striker or as a capable back-up if their star man’s struggles continue.
For that reason alone, Emery may well be forced to abandon plans for Archer’s expected Villa Park exit, he’s got to be given the chance to shine at his boyhood club.
In other Aston Villa news, fan expectations will now increase for Emery after another new addition at Villa Park.