Aston Villa loaned out Cameron Archer to Preston North End in January so he could get regular playing time at a competitive level and the 20-year-old is having a fantastic time at Deepdale. Archer has made 14 appearances in all competitions for Preston, scoring six goals.
The England U20 international has featured in every Championship game since arriving in the North and was praised by Clinton Morrison for his impressive form. He said on Sky Sports (h/t Deepdale Digest): “He excites me, he excites me massively.
Archer is highly-rated at Villa, scoring 17 goals with seven assists in 36 games for the U23s and scoring four goals in six games for the first-team. The prolific striker is expected to be in and around Villa’s senior squad next season, but he needed regular competitive football after outgrowing the reserves.
Whelan added: “I had a phone call with (manager) Ryan Lowe and he’s been telling me he’s been trying to get him for ages from Steven Gerrard, eventually Gerrard let him go. I think it’s been a brilliant signing for Preston. He still comes in after training and cleans his own boots – what a brilliant professional he is!”
Archer is currently behind Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings in the pecking order at Villa but could be given opportunities next season after showing his capability in the Championship. Gerrard is an advocate of promotion young talent, having given Premier League minutes to five U21 players this season, so Archer should become a household name for Villas in 2022/23.
In other news, Noel Whelan says Aston Villa must replace ‘very good’ Douglas Luiz this summer
