Kevin Phillips doesn't expect Aston Villa to loan out Cameron Archer in January, even though it might be best for his development. 

The former Premier League Golden Boot winner was discussing the teenager's future with Football Insider.

The lowdown

Having scored 11 goals in 31 appearances for Villa at Under-23 level, Archer has been handed two starting opportunities this season, both in the League Cup.

And after netting a hat-trick in a 6-0 rout of League Two Barrow in the second round, he scored an equaliser away to European Champions Chelsea last week.

Villa eventually lost the game on penalties, but manager Dean Smith has now declared Archer 'capable of playing at Premier League level'.

Birmingham Live journalist Ashley Preece wrote following his goal at Stamford Bridge that a January loan move looked 'likely'.

The latest

Phillips reckons Villa will decide against sanctioning a temporary exit despite the fact it might appear 'really sensible'.

He thinks the Midlands outfit will be apprehensive about a possible injury to Danny Ings or Ollie Watkins and will want to keep Archer round as cover.

"It is one of those now, do you send him out on loan? He has certainly put himself in the shop window for other clubs who might need a striker in January," Phillips said.

"Game time is going to be difficult with Watkins and Ings there. For his development going out on loan might be a really sensible move.

"I'm not sure if Villa will though because what if Ings and Watkins get injured? They have both had their injury problems and the last thing Dean Smith wants to do is leave himself short.

"I don't expect him to go out in January. I think they'll wait until next season."

The verdict

Aston Villa may have loaned out Wesley, but they have kept Keinan Davis around as cover. That might give them the confidence to loan out Archer.

What scenario would the 19-year-old prefer? He'd be playing more senior minutes out on loan, but equally it would be quite a show of faith to keep him at the club as a direct back-up to Ings and Watkins.

It's important that Villa show him a clear path to the first team amid the uncertainty over his contract. It's currently due to expire at the end of the season.

In other news, this man came under fire for his performance at the weekend.