The Ivory Coast international was fined two weeks wages for missing a game.
Jonathan Kodjia – Bristol City
Aston Villa recently broke the Championship record in order to sign Jonathan Kodjia from Bristol City.
The club spent £15 million to bring in the Ivory Coast international and aid their bid for promotion from the Championship this term.
Speaking about the exit of the player this week Bristol City manager Lee Johnson has described how things had become fractious before the end.
Jonathan Kodjia scores the second goal for Bristol City
Kodjia asked not to play in an EFL Cup game against Scunthorpe United and was fined two weeks wages.
But, in conversation with the Bristol Post, he insisted he has no hard feelings toward the Aston Villa newbie, stating:
“The culture is different in France to England and a lot of his family and three or four agents got involved in giving him advice. It became very emotional for him.
“I don’t want to be too critical of Jonathan, because he was fantastic for us and the goals he scored last season put him in that position where he became the Championship’s most expensive player. That’s a credit to him and a credit to the football club.
“I was in that position myself when I was at Yeovil. I knew I was going to Hearts but, at the end of the day, you play the game. Sometimes you have to appreciate what the club has done for you and how your team-mates have helped you get to where you are.”
Bristol City manager Lee Johnson
Kodjia, who joined the Robins from Angers last summer, scored 20 goals in 48 appearances for Bristol City last season as they survived relegation from the Championship.
Aston Villa are now clearly hopeful that he can have a similar impact at Villa Park – although he will hopefully be helping them toward the other end of the Championship table.
Along with fellow summer signing Ross McCormack the Ivorian will be tasked with scoring the goals for Roberto Di Matteo’s men in their fight for an immediate return to Premier League football.
Although, on current form, Bristol City look better placed to mount such a challenge.
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