Cameron Archer is 'on England's radar' after impressing for Aston Villa, according to Matt Maher. 

The lowdown

Archer netted a hat-trick on his first start for Villa's senior team against League Two Barrow in the Carabao Cup in August.

Villa faced a far sterner test against the reigning European champions Chelsea in the next round, but Archer was on target again.

The 19-year-old has been part of Villa's last five matchday squads and was handed brief run-outs from the bench away to Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur (via Transfermarkt).

Archer has unsurprisingly earned some rave reviews, with Birmingham Live journalist Ashley Preece dubbing him 'absolutely sensational'.

The latest

Maher, the chief sports writer at The Express & Star, wrote in a tweet that Archer is 'being monitored' by England youth team coaches after an 'excellent' start to campaign.

There's also interest from 'several Championship clubs' in a potential January loan.

The verdict

Archer's progress of late has been seriously impressive. You could now argue that he deserves to be the leading back-up to Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins, ahead of the soon-to-return Keinan Davis.

It's absolutely no surprise that England are paying close attention, particularly when there may be a battle for his services.

Villa, for their part, will be under no illusions as to the importance of tying Archer down, with his contract up at the end of the season.

In other news, fans react to this pre-Wolves news.