Peter Withe discloses why Aston Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia often frustrates him

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Aston Villa club legend Peter Withe has suggested that Jonathan Kodjia can sometimes leave him frustrated.

Aston Villa club legend Peter Withe has suggested to the Birmingham Mail that despite the goals, he can become frustrated with Jonathan Kodjia – but also stated that he would like to see him play alongside Keinan Davis once he is fully fit again.

Kodjia arrived at Villa Park last season for a fee of £15 million – which, as reported by the Guardian, made him the most expensive Championship signing in history at that time – and arguably did an excellent job of justifying the fee with his performances during his first year.

He scored 19 times in 36 Championship games for the Villans, finishing well clear in the club’s scoring charts, but Withe suggested that he can become frustrated watching Ivory Coast international.

He told the Birmingham Mail: “Sometimes I watch him play and he frustrates me at times because I’m thinking to myself ‘why don’t you just pass the ball off and get into the box and get on the end of crosses?’

“But having said that he was the only one who was scoring the goals last season.”

Despite the reasons for frustration, Withe suggested that Villa will be grateful for the forward’s return from injury, and urged Steve Bruce to try selecting Kodjia alongside the 19-year-old prospect.

“He might frustrate you but if someone’s scoring goals and gets 19 like he did last season you can’t argue with that,” he added.

“It would be interesting playing those two together, actually, Davis and Kodjia.”

After being so reliant on Kodjia last term, Bruce will be delighted if he follows Withe’s advice and Kodjia and Davis strike up a fruitful partnership – especially as their strikers have again started the season in uninspiring fashion.

Gabby Agbonlahor is the only forward to have scored in the league so far, but that came when he was playing on the left of midfield – so while Kodjia may frustrate Withe, his return to full fitness will surely be extremely welcome.