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Rookie Keinan Davis had a full debut to remember as he played a key role in Aston Villa’s 4-2 win over Norwich City.

The 19-year-old was handed a surprise start by manager Steve Bruce as Scott Hogan was left to watch from the sidelines.

The former Biggleswade youngster, who was released by Stevenage as a junior, enjoyed a wonderful 86 minutes before being serenaded by the Holte End as he left the pitch.

The action

Davis had to wait all of two minutes for his big chance. The young striker dispossessed Norwich defender Christoph Zimmermann but couldn’t beat Angus Gunn when through on goal.

His link up play during the early exchanges was superb and he started a lovely move with a neat lay-off to Josh Onomah inside 15 minutes. Villa got the ball wide to Andre Green and he crossed for Davis, who saw his header brilliantly saved by Gunn.

The striker scored a lovely looping header for Villa’s under-23s against West Brom on Monday and was so close to repeating the trick on his full debut.

Davis was wreaking havoc in the early stages and set Conor Hourihane through on goal after a neat turn and dart away from his marker. Hourihane only had Gunn to beat, but he missed the target altogether.

And it was Davis who was chief instigator behind Villa taking the lead in the 22nd minute. He collected the ball out wide on the right before beating Marcel Franke with a swift turn of pace and crossing perfectly for Hourihane, who made no mistake this time.

Some rookie forwards might have been content with a part in the opening goal - just the third Championship goal Villa had managed this season - but Davis immediately went in search of one of his own.

The former Stevenage youngster chased Zimmermann down before bullying him off the ball and smashing the ball against the bar from 20 yards. It would have been a stunning way to mark his debut!

Zimmermann in particular found Davis too hot to handle and the youngster again chased what looked a lost cause before out-muscling the German and coming within a whisker of adding his name to the scoresheet.

A fabulous debut. All that was missing was a goal, but that will definitely come.

What did he offer?

Eyebrows were certainly raised at 2pm when Davis was announced to be starting up front on his own. Scott Hogan, who rolled his ankle against Reading on Tuesday, was left on the bench and Davis grasped his opportunity with both hands.

It wasn’t just his pace and link up play that earned constant applause from the Villa faithful, it was his eagerness to do the dirty side of the job that often goes unnoticed.

Davis chased down everything and bullied two central defenders in Zimmermann and Franke who can claim to be among the most physically imposing in the Championship.

What happens next?

Davis will play against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday and if he impresses again, he should keep the jersey for the match against Bristol City on Friday.

Bruce has persisted with Scott Hogan and Gabby Agbonlahor in Jonathan Kodjia’s absence without great reward, maybe it’s Davis who can become the main man while the Ivorian recovers from his broken ankle.