Tuesday night was the latest and biggest step of Cameron Archer’s young career.
Dreams that started when he joined the club aged eight were fulfilled as he made his first senior start in claret and blue.
And he showed his class in the 6-0 thrashing of Barrow in the Carabao Cup, scoring a hat-trick that featured some superb finishing.
He said: “It’s an amazing feeling. Since I was a young boy, I’ve dreamt of this moment.
“To get my first professional hat-trick, I’m delighted. I can’t wait to go again.
“It’s a confidence boost. Training with them just makes you a better player and to be on the pitch with them is amazing.”
It was almost two years to the day that the 19-year-old made his senior debut for the club, coming on as a sub against Crewe Alexandra in the Carabao Cup.
On such a big occasion for him and the other Villa youngsters at Barrow, Archer says the senior players’ experience was invaluable.
He said: “They helped me a lot. Conor Hourihane kept talking to me on the pitch all the time.
“When I moved to left wing, Tigs (Matt Targett) helped me a lot as well.”
Watch the full VillaTV interview with Archer below...
