Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis could be in line for a reunion with Dean Smith at Premier League strugglers Norwich City, as reported by The Sun (27 February, page 61).
In 81 league games, Davis has scored just four times.
But to lambast the Nottingham Forest loanee for a lack of goals – as many have – is to miss the point entirely. Like watching Todd Phillips’ Joker and wondering when Batman was going to swoop in and save the day.
Yes, Davis could certainly find the net on a more regular basis. But there’s a lot more to his game than goals. Just look at the way he bullied, battered and bruised Arsenal during Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 FA Cup giantkilling in January.
Davis was overshadowed by fellow striker Lewis Grabban – scorer of Forest’s late winner – but he set the tone for a famous victory with his terrific hold-up play, relentless pressing and formidable upper-body strength.
He’s the very definition of ‘a handful’. Not someone who’s likely to fight for the Golden Boot. But the sort of centre-forward who gives defenders pre-match nightmares and sends the sales of Deep Heat skyrocketing.
Is Keinan Davis set to leave Aston Villa for Norwich?
Dean Smith knows, from first-hand experience, just how effective Davis can be when confidence is coursing through his veins.
The former Aston Villa boss once described Davis, who played 28 games during the 2019/20 promotion winning campaign, as an ‘exceptional’ talent.
And when Villa supporters started to turn on a man snapped up from non-league Biggleswade United, Smith was always the first to defend his much-maligned number nine.
So don’t be surprised if Davis jumps at the opportunity to reunite with Smith at Carrow Road.
The Sun claims that Mike Rigg, a former Burnley director, scouted Davis on behalf of Norwich City last week.
And it’s surely no coincidence that the Canaries now have a coach who knows the former England U20 international better than most.
It remains to be seen whether Aston Villa would be willing to cash in on Davis. Or whether Norwich would have to settle for a short-term loan deal.
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