Aston Villa may now need Keinan Davis to step up with Jonathan Kodjia likely to be out for the forseeable future.
Keinan Davis has pretty much everything in his repertoire – apart from one key attribute.
The 19-year-old striker boasts natural power and pace, the ability to lead the line with aggression and drive past opponents at will. But, as his Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce is all too keen to remind him, the main aim of a goalscorer is sticking the ball in the back of the net.
And, for all Davis’ potential, he’s only done that twice in 15 Championship games this season.
“He’s got a big future the kid, we think,” The Express report Bruce as saying after Davis’ Man of the Match performance in the recent 2-0 win at Preston North End. “He’s got to improve a little bit on his finishing and he’s still got a long way to go.”
And while Davis, who put an end to speculation over his future by signing a new three year deal at week, has performed well above expectations in his breakthrough season in Villa’s first-team, the teenager might be about to find himself under some pressure.
Villa’s star striker Jonathan Kodjia, scorer of 19 goals last season, has aggravated his broken ankle on international duty with the Ivory Coast. And Bruce told the Express that the 28-year-old will be out until the New Year as he needs an operation to correct the issue.
This leaves Villa somewhat light up top with Scott Hogan struggling for fitness and form and Ross McCormack all the way over in Australia.
Villa, then, will be hoping that Davis continues his rapid rate of progress and adds an increased goal tally to his otherwise all-round skill-set. Because the teenager looks set to lead the line for the next few months at least.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
