Unai Emery has reflected on the performance of two of Aston Villa’s young stars, Cameron Archer and Jaden Philogene, after his side’s victory over Fulham.
Aston Villa were 2-0 winners against Fulham in a pre-season Friendly staged in Orlando, Florida last night. Moussa Diary scored on his first first appearance for the club in the Premier League Summer Series clash. Jaden Philogene also got on the scoresheet, whilst Cameron Archer failed to convert from the penalty spot.
The result won’t matter a great deal to Emery, but he will have been pleased to see his side perform so well in trying circumstances. As quoted by Express & Star, Emery referred to the game as “a strange match” after the kick off was delayed by more than an hour due to a thunderstorm.
Both sides struggled to get their best games going. The passing was often sloppy, and chances were missed. Archer, in particular, was guilty of this for the Villans. Not only did he fail from the spot, but he allowed other chances to go begging too.
However, finishing aside, there was plenty to enjoy about the 21-year-old striker’s performance. He made intelligent runs and persistently tested the Fulham defence.
Big season ahead for Archer
Emery has already been clear that Archer is in his plans for the upcoming season. If the youngster can find his shooting boots, he could be set for a very impressive campaign. However, if he doesn’t become more clinical it could be a big problem for Villa, after Emery has already decided that Archer will have an important role to play.
After his showing against Fulham, Emery said, “he’s another young player who was on loan last year and deserved to stay with us to show his skill and adaption and ability…he did very good work today and he had chances to score…but I am happy because his adaptation and his commitment with us is very good.”
Emery perhaps regrets that Archer was loaned out last season, and that he didn’t get more of a chance to oversee the youngster’s progress himself.
If Archer can hit a hot streak this season and ease the goal-scoring burden currently on OIllie Watkins, then that would be a huge boost for the Villans. With Aston Villa competing in the Europa Conference League this season, the Spanish coach will need every member of his first team squad to step up and play their part in a hectic fixture schedule. Archer will be expected to chip in with goals.
That could also mean a chance in the senior side for Philogene this season. The 21-year-old winger has got five Aston Villa appearances under his belt and got regular game time on loan with Cardiff City last season. His goal against Fulham won’t have harmed his chances of playing a greater role at Villa Park this time around. Emery gave praise to him for his “very good” showing against Fulham.
