Peter Beagrie hails Aston Villa’s capture of Jonathan Kodjia

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The 26-year-old Ivorian striker joined Villa from Championship counterparts Bristol City last month on a four-year deal.

Sky Sports pundit Peter Beagrie has praised Aston Villa’s signing of Jonathan Kodjia and backed the Ivorian forward to build a fruitful strike partnership with fellow summer signing Ross McCormack.

Kodjia, 26, netted 19 goals in 45 Championship appearances for Bristol City last term after joining the club from French outfit Angers, finishing as the division’s fourth-highest scorer in his first season in English football.

His impressive displays allegedly attracted interest from Premier League side over the summer, but it was Villa who eventually lured him away from Ashton Gate for a reported £11 million fee that could rise to £15 million with add-ons.

A few eyebrows were raised at his hefty price tag, but Beagrie can understand why the claret and blues paid a premium for the physical front man after watching his performances for the Robins.

Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of seeing Kodjia make his Villa debut in Sunday’s home game against Nottingham Forest, the former Everton winger said: “They’re getting a very exciting [player]. He’s somebody that’s a little bit different to the two lads that they’ve got, Kozak and Gestede, who are the stereotypical centre forwards.

“He’s got real ability, real mobility. He can stretch defences and create something out of nothing, as well as feed off other people’s chances. He did it remarkably well in his first season in England. I think his movement’s terrific.

“He’s a natural finish, doesn’t shy away when the goal’s there, and he’s good in one-on-ones as well.”

Kodjia’s arrival means Villa now have two of the division’s top four scorers from last season after also signing Ross McCormack from Fulham for £12 million earlier in the summer, and Beagrie believes the Ivory Coast’s international’s pace and movement up top will help open up more space for his Scottish teammate to thrive in the final third.

“He’ll really compliment and get the best out of Ross McCormack,” Beagrie added on Sky Sports. “Now they’ve got two of the top four goalscorers in the division from last year. He’ll stretch teams that way and give McCormack more opportunities to play in his rightful position, which is as a No. 10.”