Aston Villa striker Cameron Archer made his debut last month.
Aston Villa coach George Boateng has told AVTV that boss Dean Smith deserves praise for giving Cameron Archer a first-team chance.
Villa took on Crewe Alexandra in the Carabao Cup before the international break, and eased to a 6-1 victory at the League Two side.
After seeing striker Keinan Davis score, Villa boss Smith decided to make a late substitution, taking Davis off and bringing on Archer.
Archer, 18, is coming up through the club’s youth ranks, and has done enough with the club’s Under-23’s to earn a chance under Smith.
He only played around 10 minutes of action against Crewe, but being given that taste of senior football will be a major boost to the teenage striker.
Archer will hope to get more opportunities this season, and new Villa coach Boateng – who recently returned to the club – has hailed Smith.
Boateng feels that it’s great to have Smith on the same page in terms of giving young players first-team chances, and praised him for giving Archer the belief that he can become a first-team player.
“Credit to the manager to allow the players to get that pathway,” said Boateng. “Sometimes in various clubs, the academy develop good players, but if the first-team manager doesn’t buy into it, it’s really difficult, so compliment to the gaffer there to allow Cameron the belief that there is a pathway for the young players,” he added.
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