Aston Villa drew 1-1 in normal time with Chelsea in the third round of the League Cup before losing on penalties and Cameron Archer was one of many players who impressed.
The 20-year-old made only his third first-team appearance for his boyhood club and got on the scoresheet, heading home a brilliant Matty Cash cross to level the game after the hour mark.
Archer has been in talks over a new deal for months, as Villa are keen to avoid losing him in January. The Midlands outfit are going to hand the striker a payrise and Frank McAvennie says it can’t come soon enough.
He’s called on Villa to tie Archer down to ward off any interest, telling Football Insider: “We have said this so many times. When you are a young player and you get given a chance, you have to take it.
“This boy has done that. Over the last months, (Dean) Smith will have been speaking to him. Telling him the usual, if you work hard you will get rewarded and it sounds like he’s about to see those rewards.”
Archer has made 17 appearances for the U18s, scoring two goals with one assist. He’s made 31 appearances for the U23s, scoring 11 goals with six assists. And he’s made three appearances for the senior squad, scoring four goals.
The 20-year-old has been on fire in the League Cup and will be sad Villa are eliminated, but he’s at least shown Smith what he’s all about. Archer was loaned out to Solihull Moors last season as he wasn’t in Smith’s plans, but he could be in line for more first-team opportunities now.
In other news, Kortney Hause posts pictures on Instagram after League Cup exit
