Kodjia’s fired up for Villa
STRUGGLING: Kodjia UNDER-PRESSURE Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce says he is determined to get striker Jonathan Kodjia firing again.
Kodjia excelled in Bruce’s first season in charge with 20 goals for the club.
But the 28-year-old Ivory Coast ace, who joined in a deal worth up to £15m from Bristol City in 2016, broke his ankle in April 2017.
He has not looked the same since, with Bruce admitting the injury is still troubling the player.
Kodjia scored just one goal last term and has managed three this season.
But he is yet to score in six games and was subbed in Friday’s 1-1 draw at his old club Bristol City.
It leaves Villa with one win in nine games ahead of Preston’s visit tonight.
Bruce said: “He is going through one of those spells where nothing is quite going for him.
“He had a wonderful year but it is now 18 months ago, and it is fair to say he is still trying to recover from the injury.
“But we have known what he did at Bristol City and what he did in his first year at the club.
“At the moment it is not going as well as we all would like but you have to stay with it and find your own form.
“That is the only way through.”