Cameron Archer sends message to Unai Emery as footage emerges after Aston Villa v Spartak Trnava
Aston Villa and Unai Emery have not needed to worry about the striker position recently due to Ollie Watkins’ form in front of goal.
Jhon Duran has also been a decent backup to the England international, though the 20-year-old has only notched eight goals in 49 appearances since arriving from Chicago Fire in January 2023.
Now, Emery has another option in the final third of the pitch as Cameron Archer returns to Villa Park after signing for Sheffield United last summer.
Villa allowed the striker to join the Blades, but the player has now returned to his boyhood club due to a clause in his contract saying he could come back if the Blades were relegated [The Sun].
The 22-year-old had only made 14 first-team appearances for the Villans before this, but could now stake a claim to be in Emery’s squad ahead of next season.
Cameron Archer sends Unai Emery message in Aston Villa friendly
Archer featured as Villa beat Spartak Trnava 3-0 on Friday 20 July, coming on to score the final goal to wrap up the victory, and Emery will be extremely pleased with the confidence shown.
Villa will be well aware of his development during his season at Bramall Lane, having scored against them in a 1-1 draw in December.
The striker was isolated for much of the game before pouncing when it mattered most, maintaining a 100 per cent shot accuracy as he powered the opener past Emi Martinez [FotMob].
He was also successful in 100 per cent of his attempted dribbles, which was a common theme with the Blades, completing 30 (51 per cent) in the Premier League last season [FotMob].
While Archer only notched four goals and one assist in the division last term, he returns to Villa Park with a lot more experience and confidence in front of goal.
Archer is certainly not ready to replace or work alongside Watkins yet, but he is showing great promise and must be rewarded by Emery as they prepare for the 2024/25 campaign.
Ranking in the top 85 percentile for successful take-ons, as per FBref, the addition of the 22-year-old could be extremely important next term after Villa qualified for the Champions League.
Given Watkins’ top 77 percentile for non-penalty goals and top 97 percentile for assists, Archer is in the perfect place to learn his trade and develop into the next Villa striker [FBref].
In other Aston Villa news, Moussa Diaby is now destined for exit after Unai Emery’s decision in Walsall friendly.
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