Aston Villa beating Wolves to Michal Krmencik would ease Jonathan Kodjia blow.

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Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers could reportedly go head-to-head for Victoria Plzen striker Michal Krmencik in January.

Steve Bruce’s in-form Aston Villa will have to find some way to cope with the absence of star striker Jonathan Kodjia for the next few months.

As reported by The Express, the club’s record signing will undergo an operation after aggravating a serious ankle injury that kept him out of the first few weeks of the new season – meaning he could be set for months on the sidelines.

Bruce described the news as a ‘devastating blow’. But with the transfer window just a month away, at least Villa have an almost immediate opportunity to find a replacement for a player who scored 19 goals in a superb debut season in the Midlands.

Ready-made replacement?

Croatian outlet Jutarnji List claimed a week ago that Villa were tracking Victoria Plzen’s prolific centre-forward Michal Krmencik. It is understood that 24-year-old, who is also being watched by local rivals Wolves according to the report, is out of contract next summer and may be available for £2.7 million in January.

Krmencik has 14 goals in 18 games this season for Plzen, including three in three Europa League group stage fixtures. And, standing at 6ft 2ins, he possesses the height and the aerial presence that could suit a Villa side who tend to utilise a quite direct style under Bruce – albeit to the chagrin of some supporters.

Thanks to Financial Fair Play restrictions, Villa’s spending was hugely limited in the summer. But, at just £2.7 million, the ten-cap, six-goal Czech international Krmencik may just be within budget for Villa owner Tony Xia.

And the signing of one of Europe’s most fruitful goalscorers would surely ease the pain of Kodjia’s prolonged absence. With Villa hoping to challenge their Midlands neighbours Wolves for promotion back to the Premier League this season, beating Nuno Espirito Santo’s big-spending league-leaders could also be seen as a real statement of ambition.