Aston Villa’s squad will look different at the start of the 2024/25 campaign, with one forgotten player now handed the chance to impress.
The summer window has seen seven players arrive at Villa Park ahead of Aston Villa’s Champions League campaign.
Unai Emery’s fourth-place finishing squad has undergone great change this summer, with the likes of Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby leaving the club.
As well as the departures and arrivals, Emery could be about to hand one forgotten player the chance to finally make a breakthrough at Villa.
Aston Villa now told that Cameron Archer is closer to Ollie Watkins than Jhon Duran
One surprising story from the summer has been the return of Cameron Archer, who left Villa permanently to join Sheffield United last year.
While welcoming the Englishman back to Villa Park due to a relegation clause in his contract isn’t the surprising element, his inclusion in pre-season is something to observe.
So far in pre-season, Archer has scored twice in three friendlies, finishing expertly both times to give Emery his future to think about.
It was expected that the Bodymoor Heath graduate would leave again shortly after his return to Villa however, the striker continues to be used by the manager in pre-season.
Taking to X after Villa’s 4-1 defeat to Columbus Crew on Sunday morning, journalist Jacob Tanswell shared an interesting viewpoint on Archer’s stance at Villa.
The Athletic reporter said that “Archer’s runs off centre-backs & pressing is more similar to Watkins than Duran.”
It’s praise indeed for Archer, whom Tanswell believes has a forward skillset more comparable to talisman Ollie Watkins than second-choice striker Jhon Duran.
Unai Emery must utilise Archer in the season ahead
With Duran’s future looking to be away from Villa, Emery could now significantly benefit from the relegation clause that was inserted into Archer’s Sheffield United contract.
Given how sharp the 22-year-old is looking in pre-season, it would be smart for the Spaniard to remain in charge of the striker’s future, which could save the Villans millions.
While Duran has a high ceiling, there is a belief that Archer is closer in his ability to Watkins than he is to the Colombian, as suggested by Tanswell.
Emery could now capitalise on the Villa academy graduate’s return to the club to not only replace Duran but possibly upgrade him, should Archer’s form continue.
It will be fascinating to see how Emery and Monchi navigate Archer’s future now that it’s become clear that Duran will depart this summer.
