Aston Villa will be looking to finish the 2021/22 season as strongly as possible ahead of a summer which promises plenty of excitement.

As Steven Gerrard enters his first summer transfer window as Villa manager, it's no secret that the Midlands club will be looking to invest heavily in order to upgrade their squad.

One area which could certainly be improved is centre-forward, especially with last summer's £25m addition Danny Ings failing to make a big impact at Villa Park, with the 29-year-old scoring just five goals in claret and blue thus far.

Moreover, Ollie Watkins hasn't had his best season either, with the 26-year-old scoring only seven goals this campaign, having netted 16 last time around.

However, Gerrard and the Villa hierarchy may not have to invest too heavily to sign a striker, with exciting 20-year-old prospect Cameron Archer potentially ready for a regular run in the first team.

In the pipeline

The youngster has made a serious impression at the Midlands club this season, scoring four goals for the first team in two Carabao Cup appearances, plus nine in eight appearances for the under-23s.

In order to help continue his development, Villa sent the striker on loan to Championship side Preston North End in January, with Archer continuing to thrive at Deepdale. The 20-year-old has netted on five occasions in 12 appearances for Ryan Lowe's side and will be looking to finish the season strongly in order to make a serious impression on the Villa manager.

Aston Villa journalist Ashley Preece has had plenty of positive things to say about the young striker, especially earlier this season after Villa's under-23s defeated League One Burton Albion 4-2 in the EFL Trophy.

Preece said on that occasion: "Absolutely sensational as he picks up his second match ball of the season with yet another classy hat-trick. It was finishing of the highest order with Archer being applauded off by Smith, Shakespeare, Danks and Lange in the stands.

"Archer was levels above here, whacking home his trio past Balcombe in the Burton net. Villa need to get his contract sorted now. His development since the summer has been staggering. The boy's some finisher."

Since then, the deal has been sorted and the 20-year-old is contracted at Villa Park until 2025. The striker will now have to be assured that he has a future in Gerrard's first-team plans, as his goal record this term suggests that he could be an upgrade on the out-of-sorts Ings.

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