The Telegraph's John Percy has delivered an update on the future of Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis.

What's the story?

The 23-year-old had a difficult 2020/21 campaign in the Premier League for Dean Smith's side, managing just 263 minutes of top-flight football as summer transfer window signing Ollie Watkins firmly established himself as the club's first-choice striker.

Percy has now claimed on Twitter: "Stoke want to sign #avfc striker Keinan Davis on loan for the season and have held talks. No decision yet, and a move is likely to be a few weeks away, but Stoke are hopeful of agreeing a deal #scfc"

Dean Smith will be happy

Davis' record for Villa in total doesn't make for encouraging reading, netting just six times in 85 games for the club, although many of those appearances saw him come off the bench.

After coming on to good effect against the likes of Fulham and West Brom in the closing few weeks of last season in the Premier League, former Villa man Lee Hendrie waxed lyrical about about the 1.89m (6 foot 3) striker's efforts.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: "I'm really, really pleased for Keinan. He's got himself back fit again and I've got to say he's really impressed me. The only thing with Keinan is that he just doesn't score enough goals, which is the big downfall for him because the work he does in and around the pitch.

"Every time I've seen him come on, he does look like something different that Villa (can) bring and, you know, fortunate for Ollie that he's coming on and giving him that second striker, which is helping him out there."

While Davis may be capable of offering Smith a different option off the bench in some games, the Villa manager and the club's fans surely wouldn't feel comfortable with him starting week-in, week-out if Watkins were ruled out for a significant period of time.

Giving him regular first-team action - which he would likely get at Stoke in the Championship - could see him come back a more refined player next summer, and at only 23, he still has plenty of time to make the grade properly at Villa Park.

A loan move away is the best thing for all parties, and should see Smith satisfied.

Meanwhile, Villa could sign their new Paul Merson in this star...