It was a summer of change and disruption for Aston Villa, both on and off the pitch, but the one constant for fans outside of first team affairs, was just how promising our youth and Academy setup now is and the real results we are beginning to see from that.
Having recaptured the FA Youth Cup last season, we are seeing youngsters featuring at first team level more regularly – notwithstanding our fantastic EFL Cup efforts against Barrow and Chelsea. There’s also the small matter of our first ever Under 21 EFL Trophy victory.
A key part of this season’s successes has been the unexpected emergence of 19-year-old striker Cameron Archer.
Vital Villa’s Cameron Archer Forum Thread
With a steady, but not spectacular, spell at Solihull Moors last year, Archer has exploded as a goalscoring menace in 2021/22 with a hattrick against Barrow, further strikes against Wycombe and Chelsea (EFL Cup) and then another hattrick last night in the EFL Trophy clash with Burton Albion – where we were losing 2-0.
Head coach Dean Smith clearly trusts the lad with him also getting experience against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, and it can only be a matter of time before we reward his significant improvement with a new long term deal.
Cameron Archer scored a superb hat-trick for Aston Villa's U21s in their comeback win against Burton Albion. pic.twitter.com/093E9WR1YG
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 6, 2021
The goals last night speak for themselves and with back to back victories (coming from behind) I’d say we are taking the competition seriously for the first time in years, which also means there are expectations on these lads to perform and learn to win – rather than just treating it as a run out.
In the long term…that will be a massive bonus for the first team pathway.
Best Of Archer's Three?
1st
2nd
3rd
Interruption break or not, fans were certainly delighted with their Tuesday evening entertainment.
Are you not embarrassed pic.twitter.com/tUV6Z0QQSv
— Harry (@HarryUTV) October 6, 2021
The fox outside the box
— AV 👊 (@AV_B_ZA1DI) October 6, 2021
@carltimmins18 this lad has it all
— C.Atkinson (@caguitar) October 6, 2021
Remember his name! This kid is the real deal. Gonna be a big star in next couple of years
— Old school villian (@tonywoots69) October 6, 2021
This guy is mbappe with haaland finishing
— EB10 (@buendiazboyz) October 6, 2021
Would rather SkySports kept him quiet until he’s signed a new contract. 😂
— Phil Roberts (@PhilHRoberts) October 6, 2021
Touch for the second goal wasn’t accidental! Skill!
— Mr (@shang1308) October 6, 2021
Looks some talent this boy
— DPT (@DPT1986) October 6, 2021
