Steve Bruce shares when he told Keinan Davis he was making his full Aston Villa debut

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Aston Villa beat Norwich City 4-2 in their most recent fixture.

Steve Bruce performed a piece of managerial brilliance this weekend, by holding back until the last minute until telling Keinan Davis he was starting for Aston Villa.

Bruce has revealed to the Express and Star, that he was planning to use Davis as his main striker against Norwich City throughout the week, but did not want to burden the youngster.

Instead, the experienced manager waited until the last moment until he told Davis that he would be starting the match to reduce his nerves.

The ploy worked to perfection, as Davis enjoyed a brilliant showing on his full debut for the claret and blues.

Villa went on to win the game 4-2, and Bruce should take credit for his wise move.

The former Hull boss said: “I told him at about quarter past one. There was a bit of me that wanted to inform him on Friday.

“But I thought let him have a good night’s sleep. Sometimes I think that is the best way.”

Although Davis did not get on the scoresheet for Villa, his pace and energy was a breath of fresh air.

Whether the youngster will retain his place Bruce’s line-up over the coming weeks remains to be seen.

Villa have an abundance of striking options, but the Midland side’s injury problems have left Bruce’s options short.

Villa are next in action tomorrow, when they take on Wigan Athletic in the Carabao Cup.