Keinan Davis sends message to Aston Villa supporters after first-team debut

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The teenager made his bow as a substitute in the FA Cup defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Aston Villa’s latest debutant Keinan Davis has thanked the club’s supporters after his “fantastic” personal milestone in the FA Cup defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, speaking to the club’s website.

The 18-year-old striker came on for the final 13 minutes plus stoppage time of the eventual 2-0 loss on Sunday for his first competitive senior appearance.

The academy graduate had previously been named to the substitutes’ bench last season but had not been given the go-ahead to get his first taste of action until this weekend.

The forward was thrilled that his big moment finally arrived, and could not hid ehis pride at finally becoming a fully-fledged Villa player.

Davis told the club’s website: “Obviously we were frustrated with the loss as a team but, on a personal level, it was a great, great moment.

“I was warming up and then the gaffer called me over and said ‘you’re coming on’. I couldn’t really take it all in at the time. It was so quick and instant and I had to be ready for action. It was fantastic for me to come on for this great club.

“I had travelled with the squad the previous weekend against Cardiff and didn’t make the bench but this past weekend I did make it into the final 18 – and came on.”

Davis reserved special thanks for the club’s supporters after revealing that he had received messages from fans after making his debut.

He added: “I am so thankful to the fans too for their support. I have received messages since that moment and they meant a lot to me. It really makes me feel like I am a part of the whole Aston Villa family. It was an extra boost for me.”

Davis’ debut was likely facilitated by the uncertainty surrounding the future of another academy striker, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy.

Villa’s youngest ever Premier League player is yet to commit to a new contract at the club despite a lucrative offer, and Bruce admitted before Sunday’s clash that he had been planning to hand the striker a start if he had put pen to paper.

Instead, Davis has taken up the mantle of the newest next big thing at the club, and he will be hoping for more sporadic opportunities in the second half of the season.