Championship clubs to scramble as Villa give striker green light to make January move

Aston Villa are reportedly set to send Keinan Davis on loan in January transfer window amid interest from Stoke and Nottingham Forest.

The striker looked primed for a temporary move in the summer after failing to make his mark at Villa Park. The 23-year-old made just three starts in all competitions for Villa last season.

That had led Dean Smith to give Davis the green light to get game time elsewhere and a number of Championship clubs were pursuing him in July.

Forest and Stoke were two of the clubs looking at Davis. He came off the bench in Villa’s 2-0 defeat to Stoke in pre-season and a deal looked likely.

“He is an Aston Villa player and he came into the action today from the bench,” said Stoke boss Michael O’Neill.

“I am sure that he is a player who is on the list of a lot of Championship clubs. And we would put ourselves within that category.

“We will just have to wait and see what materialises over the next few weeks.”

But just as Davis looked set to be granted a loan move he injured his knee and was ruled out for two months. He remained at Villa Park to focus on his recovery process.

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Stoke to revisit Davis deal?

He has yet to kick a ball this season, but is understood to be close to a return.

And, according to The Athletic, the young striker will be allowed to leave the club in January.

Last January Swansea City, Huddersfield Town and Derby County were all linked with the player.

Forest meanwhile are expected to throw their name in the hat for Davis, while Stoke may also revisit a deal.

O’Neill did though land striker Sam Surridge from Championship rivals Bournemouth for an undisclosed fee in August.

Surridge has scored twice in 11 appearances, although he has only made five Championship starts.

As far as Dean Smith at Villa is concerned though, he will be looking to get game for Davis.

With Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins his preferred two frontmen, Davis, who is under contract until 2024, looks set to move out on a temporary basis.

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