Kodjia has the last laugh as Villa find feet
ASTON VILLA 2 BRISTOL CITY 0 LAURIE WHITWELL at Villa Park
WHEN Aston Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia missed a first-half penalty, Bristol City fans sang: ‘what a waste of money,’ about their former player.
They had a point. Villa paid £11million to take Kodjia last summer and this was the striker’s first game against his old club. The travelling crowd cheered as if their team had scored when Kodjia’s spot-kick hit the bar.
But the Ivory Coast international responded in a manner that shows his worth. Given half a chance by Albert Adomah’s cross in the 54th minute, Kodjia applied a brilliant glancing header to send the ball into the far corner and put Villa ahead. ‘what a waste of money,’ the home faithful sang back.
Kodjia turned provider shortly after, winning the ball and charging into the area to tee up Adomah. he scuffed his shot but it ran to Conor hourihane, who slotted in his Villa first goal.
Villa boss Steve Bruce needed this, back-to-back victories for the first time since December and consecutive clean sheets to boot. For opposite number Lee Johnson, the scrutiny will mount. Bristol’s run now stands at one win in 15 games and only goal difference is keeping them out of the drop zone.
The visitors nearly had the lead inside 15 minutes. David Cotterill delivered a deep free-kick that Bailey wright headed against the bar. In the 20th minute Villa passed up a glorious chance when Gary Gardner tumbled under Fabian Giefer but Kodjia lashing his strike against the woodwork, seeming to let the taunts affect him.
he reverted to type after the break, scoring his 12th league goal of the season, but Villa had Sam Johnstone to thank for keeping Bristol out when the goalkeeper tipped Aden Flint’s header against the bar. Andre Green also hit the woodwork for Villa with a marvellous long-range shot.
‘we’ve played far better and lost,’ said Bruce. ‘That first half, people would have preferred to watch
Coronation Street. But the one thing we have seen is resilience.’
Johnson added: ‘ we played on the front foot and frustrated them but sometimes it is a fine line between success and failure.’