Steve Bruce: Aston Villa likely to be without Jonathan Kodjia for the remainder of the season
Villa boss Steve Bruce has admitted striker Jonathan Kodjia is likely to miss the rest of the season through injury.
The 28-year-old, Villa’s top scorer last season, has been out since November after undergoing surgery for the second time in seven months on a broken ankle.
Speaking after Villa’s 1-0 at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Bruce admitted the chances of the Ivory Coast international playing again this season are slim.
“It’s probably best to forget it. It doesn’t look likely,” said the boss.
Kodjia netted 19 goals in the Championship last season after joining Villa in a £15million switch from Bristol City.
But he missed the start of the season after suffering a fractured ankle in a 1-0 defeat at Blackburn last April.
Kodjia netted once in nine appearances following his return in September but then suffered another break to the same ankle while on international duty with the Ivory Coast.
Villa were already looking for reinforcements on the forward line this month, with Bruce keen to take Leicester’s Leonardo Ulloa on loan.
He has been further boosted by the improving form of Scott Hogan, who netted his second goal in as many league games to see Villa past Forest.
The 25-year-old had previously netted only once in the Championship since a £12million switch from Brentford last January.
