Steve Bruce: Break will do Aston Villa star Keinan Davis no harm

Davis has been placed on standby for the England under-20s and could still be called up in the coming days.

But currently the 19-year-old is set for his first rest since making his full Championship debut for Villa back in August, having travelled away during the previous two international breaks.

Bruce thanked under-20s boss Keith Downing for the manner in which he has considered Villa's wishes and helped to handle Davis’s breakthrough.

“Keith has been immaculate with how he has been with us,” said Bruce. “There are not many players at under-20 level who are playing week-in, week-out for a club of our size. Keinan will need a break.

“He needed to come out a few weeks ago, against Wolves he got nowhere near them because physically, probably, he had gone past that line.

“Sometimes with a young player you have to identify when they dip, leave them out, freshen them up and then they are ready to go.

“That is exactly what happened because he was back to his best against Preston last week, showing what a handful he is.”

Davis, who joined Villa two years ago from non-league Biggleswade Town, has been nothing short of a revelation over recent weeks, playing a key role in Villa’s climb up the Championship table.

The club and player have been locked in talks over a new, improved contract.

Bruce has been impressed with how the former Stevenage youth team player has coped under the spotlight.

“It is my job and my staffs job to keep his feet on the floor but he is a really level-headed kid, which helps. That’s good to see,” said Bruce.

“He has come from nowhere the last couple of months. Has he been the one? He has given us something which has breathed a bit of life into the team.

“He is an old-fashioned centre-forward and they are a dying breed. He’s got a big future. He has to keep his feet on the ground, keep working hard and we will see where it gets him.”