Kid Kein can give Villa lift
KEINAN DAVIS can become one of Aston Villa’s all-time greats if he carries on his remarkable progress.
That’s the verdict of Garry Thompson, whose goals helped fire the club to promotion in 1988.
Thompson, 58, now covers Villa games for local radio – and he reckons the 19-year-old can not only make the difference in the Championship but go on to become a superstar in the Premier League.
He said: “The sky is the limit for him. You always worry because kids can get affected but I’m told he’s very humble and well managed. If he keeps that attitude there’s no limit on what he can achieve.”
Thompson, who grew up as a Villa fan before a 500-game career that saw him also play for Coventry, West Brom and Watford, will be willing Davis to make the difference in today’s derby at Birmingham. He said: “Villa fans have always loved a centre-forward and since Christian Benteke left they have not had a hero like that, and have been crying out for a new one.
“He’s clearly not overawed by the pressure, and I don’t think he’ll be phased by the atmosphere of a derby game, however hostile it might get.
“I’d love to think he could make a difference with promotion and then be a key part of something good in the Premier League.
“The first time I saw him play was when he came on for the last few minutes against Spurs in the FA Cup last season and I thought he was out of his depth.
“But fast forward six months and he’s got stronger, makes better runs, he keeps the ball for the team, he puts his body in the way, he allows the team to get up the pitch.
“He’s already been brought into the England Under-20 set-up and he could go all the way at that level too.”