Steve Bruce hails "rare breed" Keinan Davis after Aston Villa teenager sparkles on debut
Steve Bruce reckons Keinan Davis can follow in the footsteps of Villa’s former No.9 icons after hailing the teenager’s "terrific" performance in Saturday’s 4-2 win over Norwich.
Though Conor Hourihane grabbed the headlines by netting a hat-trick, 19-year-old Davis sparkled on his full debut for the club and boss Bruce believes the former Biggleswade Town youth team striker could have a big future.
“Aston Villa have always had No.9s, it’s a bit like Newcastle United,” said Bruce.
“They adore a big centre-forward who plays like an old-fashioned centre-forward, whether you look at Christian Benteke, Peter Withe, Andy Gray or wherever you want to go.
“They are hard to come by these days as they don’t breed them anymore. His (Davis’s) breeding has been non-league.
“It’s as good a debut as I can remember. Absolutely. Wow. He was terrific.”
Davis, who had made eight previous substitute appearances, was given the nod due to injuries to Scott Hogan and Gabriel Agbonlahor.
And though he did not score, he proved a thorn in the side of the Norwich defence all afternoon and set up Hourihane for the opening goal.
Bruce revealed how he left it until the last minute to inform Davis he would be playing.
“I told him at about quarter past one,” said Bruce. “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.
“I remember when I made my debut a long time ago and I was up all night kicking every ball.
“That was against Luton in the Third Division, never mind Villa Park in front of 30,000.”
Davis’s part in Villa’s first league win of the season was also recognised by hat-trick hero Hourihane, who said: “He’s a dream to play with. He’s like that in training, also. When the ball goes up to him, you know it’s going to stick.
“You can make your runs off him and he was the main reason I had so much joy.”
