In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has shared his experience of seeing Keinan Davis up close for the first time in training after returning to Bodymoor Heath.

Davis, a product of Bodymoor Heath, has worked his way into Villa's first team and has been Dean Smith's second-choice striker this season.

With Wesley having been unavailable following the serious injury he picked up last term, Davis has been deputising for Ollie Watkins.

And, in that deputy role, the 23-year-old has managed to come up with a couple of important contributions of late, including a goal against West Brom and assist versus Fulham.

For Hendrie, he is a player who has always had talent, talent which Villa supporters are now starting to see.

Speaking exclusively to TT about what he remembers from the first time he had a good look at Davis, the ex-Villa player said:

"I went back, a few years back now, and I went in and just watched. It was actually when Steve Bruce was managing and I watched the training.

"Kevin MacDonald was at the club at the time and he was working with a lot of the younger lads that were certainly pushing for first-team recognition. And Keinan was one of those players.

"I went and watched a game. It was the first time I'd actually seen Keinan and I thought to myself, 'certainly with lots of coaching and guidance, he'll be a player. He will be a player.' "

If Davis' last few performances are anything to go by, then the 23-year-old is a player who certainly has something to offer.