Hunter played at Third Lanark, Ayr Thistle, and Aston Villa, whom he signed for in August 1878, just four years after their formation. His Aston Villa career began 10 years before the commencement of the first Football League season. In his league career (1888–1890) he played 73 matches scoring 42 goals. Also his 33 goals for Villa in the FA Cup (including 3 in 1888–1889) remains the Aston Villa record for the competition. Archie Hunter made his League debut on 15 September 1888 at Wellington Road, as a forward, against Stoke. Aston Villa won 5–1 and Archie Hunter scored one of the goals. He missed 3 League games (out of 22) in 1888–1889 (he played in all 3 FA Cup ties) and Hunter scored six League goals including two-in-a-League-match once. As a forward he played in a forward-line that scored three-League-goals-or-more-in-a-match on no less than on ten occasions. He scored 10 goals in 1888-1889 which made him Villa joint 3rd top scorer along with Denny Hodgetts.

During a Football League match against Everton in 1890 Hunter suffered a heart attack and collapsed. He never played again, and died at the age of 35. It is said that, on his death-bed, he asked to be lifted up one last time to see the crowd going to Perry Barr (then Villa’s home).

In 1998, Archie Hunter was inducted into the English Football League’s list of 100 legends.