I’d be crazy to sell hero Kodjia

STEVE BRUCE admits that ® selling goal machine Jonathan Kodjia would be managerial suicide.

Aston Villa boss Bruce is desperate to keep the Ivory Coast international out of the clutches of the big boys in the summer, with Everton heading a list of interested clubs.

In-form Villa tackle Reading today with Kodjia (left) needing just one more goal to become the first player to score 20 League goals in a season for the club since Peter Withe 36 years ago. Eyebrows were raised when Villa splashed £15m to land the 27-year-old from Bristol City last August.

But Bruce is adamant it would take a “colossal” offer for the club to part with the man they hope can fire them back to the Premier League.

“We are Aston Villa and it goes without saying we want to try and get promoted,” said Bruce.

“I know my neck is on the line. That goes with any manager of Aston Villa in the Championship.

Holiday

“I will do everything I possibly can to remain here at this club.

“If Chelsea came in for him tomorrow, then that is the reality. But it would take a colossal sum of money for us to even think about it.”

Villa have hit a blistering run of form, winning 22 points from the last 27. But they are still some way off the play-off places and look to have made their charge too late. The pressure is on for Bruce to get Villa back up quickly and he knows Kodjia is crucial.

Bruce said: “I can honestly say I have had no phone calls.

“No big club, no manager has phoned me. I hope that stays the same. Let’s hope the phone doesn’t ring.

“When I go on holiday, they will not be able to get hold of me, so good luck to anybody out there.

“He is the victim of his own success. It’s why he’s here, because he was a success for Bristol City.

“Now he has gone on to be a success here and I’m sure he has got suitors in the Premier League, why wouldn’t he?”