Why Aston Villa are right to turn down Keinan Davis loan exit

According to Lancashire Live, Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis has emerged as a loan target for Championship outfit Preston North End, who are looking at options to strengthen their forward line before the domestic deadline on October 16.

It has also been claimed that Davis is keen to go out on loan and further his development with regular minutes away from Villa Park but manager Dean Smith has no intention of allowing that to happen.

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Keinan Davis spent time in the youth ranks of non-league club Biggleswade Town after being released from Stevenage’s academy back in 2015. The striker earned a professional contract with Aston Villa after impressing as a trialist.

Davis was handed his senior debut by former Villa manager Steve Bruce in an FA Cup tie against Tottenham in January 2017 and the 22-year-old has since gone on to register 5 goals and 6 assists in 71 appearances for the Midlands outfit in all competitions. The Stevenage-born hitman has also featured 33 times for Villa’s U-23 side at the Premier League 2 level.

Villa risk squad depth issues should Davis depart on loan

Keinan Davis was given a fair crack of the whip by Dean Smith to establish himself as a regular starter in front of goal towards the back end of the previous campaign. The 22-year-old started 4 league games while appearing as a substitute on another 14 occasions last term, but he failed to register a single goal or an assist.

Despite being held in high regard by the Villa management staff, Davis doesn’t really look ready to make an immediate impact in the Premier League. That’s not to say he hasn’t got the talent or the potential to make a name for himself in the top-flight but the youngster probably needs a bit more polishing to make strides towards fulfilling his promise.

To that end, a loan spell in the Championship would allow him the game time that he needs to gain more experience in senior football. Sadly, though, Villa haven’t got enough depth in their striking ranks to sanction a loan exit for Davis, who remains the only specialist understudy to club-record signing Ollie Watkins in front of goal.

Bertrand Traore is versatile enough to slot into a centre-forward role but his best qualities are utilised down the right flank. With Mbwana Samatta no longer at the club and Wesley Moraes not expected to return from his long-term injury before the turn of the year, loaning out Davis would render Smith short of cover up top.

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Verdict

It is clear from the above discussion that Aston Villa simply can’t afford to part ways with Keinan Davis on loan before the domestic deadline, unless, of course, they end up signing another striker.

Staying at Villa Park and playing a bit-part role might not necessarily be the right course of development for the 22-year-old, but Smith doesn’t seem to have any other option. Villa should reconsider his future in January if Wesley manages to make a timely return from his injury hell, but loaning the youngster out right now wouldn’t be a smart decision.