Aston Villa, Keinan Davis agree to contract extension until summer 2020

Aston Villa’s shining 19-year old striker is staying at Villa Park a bit longer. On Wednesday, the two sides agreed to a contract extension until the summer of 2020.

Keinan Davis’ new three-and-a-half-year deal with Aston Villa represents a magnificent rise for the 19-year in the last 18 months. Signed from non-league Biggleswade Town F.C., Davis has gone on to become Villa’s number two central striker.

The 6’2″ target offers tremendous complementary skills to the claret and blues around him. In a 4-4-2 Davis plays off the explosive Jonathan Kodjia, while in Steve Bruce’s more recent 4-4-1-1, Davis provides the perfect focal point for creative players: Josh Onomah, Albert Adomah, and Robert Snodgrass.

In all, Keinan Davis’ statistics might look more pedestrian (2 goals, 1 assist in 840 league minutes), but underlying metrics paint a better picture.

Keinan Davis has rising star potential. Back in October, he was called into England U-20 duty – the first time in his career he had participated in the England youth set-up. He would have received another call-up this window as well, but Steve Bruce asked England to decline given his recent workload. Then there was this story from ESPNFC, Keinan Davis being tracked by Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton.

With Aston Villa, Davis has opportunity to ascend even further in the short and long-term. Injury to Jonathan Kodjia on Ivory Coast duty and Scott Hogan’s recent poor striking form means full ninety match time for the time being. If Villa are to be promoted (currently sitting in playoffs – 6th place), Keinan Davis will have a huge impact on the club’s outcome. Moreover, the raise in wages is commensurate to a professional in England’s second division.

Aston Villa returns to action Saturday, November 18th with a trip to London against Queens Park Rangers.