Aston Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia faces former club Bristol City this evening.
Bristol City manager Lee Johnson
Bristol City boss Lee Johnson has been quoted by the Birmingham Mail as saying that striker Jonathan Kodjia wanted to join Aston Villa, as the Ivorian faces his former club this evening.
The Robins were looking for a striker following their promotion from League One in 2015, and decided to take a gamble on Kodjia, paying £2million to land him from French side Angers (BBC Sport).
Whilst he had scored 15 goals in 29 games for Angers, that was in the second division in France, meaning Bristol City were taking a huge chance on him replicating that in the Championship.
Kodjia more than lived up to his transfer fee, smashing 20 goals in 48 games last season before Aston Villa swooped to sign him, paying a huge £11million rising to £15million (The Guardian).
So far, the Ivorian international has grabbed 11 goals in 25 Championship games, but he has been criticised for being greedy and lacking a strong work ethic in recent weeks.
Tonight, the 27-year-old faces a huge clash, as former club Bristol City arrive at Villa Park for a Championship battle between two sides who are languishing in the bottom half of the table.
Aston Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia celebrates scoring
Kodjia will be hoping to score against his former employers, and his old boss Lee Johnson has been discussing the attacker ahead of their reunion this evening.
Johnson, speaking on Monday, has been quoted by the Birmingham Mail as saying that the club sold Kodjia because he wanted to join Villa, and they wish him all the best – except for tonight’s game.
“Jonathan Kodjia wanted to go,” said Johnson. “Once we had received a good, acceptable bid then it was right for the club. The timing of Kodjia’s departure wasn’t ideal but we are where we are. We wish him all the best, just not tomorrow!” he added.
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