Keinan Davis reckons he is having the “time of his life” starring upfront for promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest as Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard weighs up the loan striker's future.
Davis is getting regular games and goals for the first time in his senior career after joining Villa in 2015 as a teenager. The ace has made 15 starts with four goals and two assists since dropping into the Championship on loan in January from Villa, where he was mainly a sub.
His presence and power upfront has played a vital role in propelling Steve Cooper’s side into the play-offs and to the FA Cup quarter-finals, where they lost 1-0 to Liverpool.
Forest host Birmingham on Saturday after just one defeat in 13 League games and Davis,24, reflected: “I am having the time of my life really. It is really good and I am enjoying every moment of it. The most important thing is staying injury-free because in the past I have not had a good time with injuries.
“Now I am playing games and have a manager that believes in me. This is the most games I have played in my life. I can only get better and get fitter by doing that. It is all the factors that make it very good. It is hard to have an impact and show people what you can do in a short amount of time as a sub.
“But hopefully I am showing people what I am capable of now and even if you are not scoring , the manager still plays you because he sees how you affect the game in different areas, which gives me confidence.” Davis is under contract at Villa Park until 2024 but Forest could try to buy the ace if they are promoted.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should Villa sign in the summer? Let us know in the comments section
Davis’ former boss Dean Smith, who now manages Norwich, is also a big admirer of the 6ft 3in frontman. The star is expecting a rough ride on Saturday from Villa’s Second City neighbours Birmingham. He added: “I am looking forward to it - it should be a tasty match-up.
“I think the Villa fans will definitely be rooting for me against the Blues. Getting back to the Premier League is the aim. Right now I am in the Championship so I just have to work and do as much as I can to help Nottingham Forest get back up to the Premier League.
“But we have a tough eight games left.”
Davis’ future will be decided this summer when Villa boss Gerrard must choose to keep him or cash in. But the forward insisted: “I am just focusing on what is happening right now. This is the most important thing.”
