---
title: "Keinan Davis facing uncertain future after latest snub [Opinion]"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/04/keinan-davis-has-uncertain-future-after-latest-snub/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2021-02-04T15:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-04T15:00:00Z"
---

# Keinan Davis facing uncertain future after latest snub \[Opinion\]

[Keinan Davis](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/28/bristol-city-want-keinan-davis-on-loan/) was an unused substitute as [Aston Villa lost 3-1 to West Ham](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/february/Aston-Villa-1-3-West-Ham-United/) on Wednesday night – the [fourth time](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/keinan-davis/leistungsdaten/spieler/412660) 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/keinan-davis/leistungsdaten/spieler/412660) in 2021, but Dean Smith [rejected](https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-press-conference-live-4939624) approaches from Bristol City for the striker in January and described him as [“valuable”](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/dean-smith-clarifies-futures-two-19708046) to Villa’s squad, so what’s the truth?

Ollie Watkins is first choice in attack and has played [every minute](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ollie-watkins/leistungsdaten/spieler/324358) of every Premier League game since [joining](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ollie-watkins/transfers/spieler/324358) 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3429703) 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](https://readastonvilla.com/2020/12/31/villa-should-replace-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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/keinan-davis/leistungsdaten/spieler/412660) this season, scoring one goal and supplying one assist. He has netted only five times in [75 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/keinan-davis/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/412660/verein/405) 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?

### **READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT**

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](https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/exclusive-bristol-city-battle-stoke-4938380) been accepted, but now his development is stalling.