Keinan Davis facing uncertain future after latest snub [Opinion]

Keinan Davis was an unused substitute as Aston Villa lost 3-1 to West Ham on Wednesday night – the fourth time he has been left on the bench despite the Claret and Blues suffering a Premier League defeat.

The 22-year-old has amassed only seven minutes of top-flight football in 2021, but Dean Smith rejected approaches from Bristol City for the striker in January and described him as “valuable” to Villa’s squad, so what’s the truth?

Ollie Watkins is first choice in attack and has played every minute of every Premier League game since joining on a five-year deal from Brentford last year. Davis is supposed to be his main backup, but he’s just wasting away on the bench and isn’t called upon when we’re chasing a goal.

The 22-year-old saw Bertrand Traore, Morgan Sanson and Trezeguet introduced from the bench instead of him against West Ham, so it would be no surprise if he was disillusioned at Villa Park.

This writer suggested that Villa upgrade on Davis in January, but Smith opted against doing so and insisted that he has a role in the squad. It’s clear from his lack of game-time that he doesn’t.

Davis has made eight appearances this season, scoring one goal and supplying one assist. He has netted only five times in 75 games since breaking into the first team four years ago and isn’t being given the chance to turn things around, so why keep him and hold his career back?

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Davis may feel he has been lied to by his manager and is only a last-resort option rather than a respected member of the squad.

He could have been playing regularly in the Championship had Bristol City’s loan bid been accepted, but now his development is stalling.