Steve Bruce admits even he can’t predict Aston Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia

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Aston Villa forward Jonathan Kodjia scored his first goal for six months against Bolton Wanderers.

Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has told the Birmingham Mail that he puts Jonathan Kodjia out on the pitch without knowing exactly what the striker is going to do.

Kodjia has returned from injury for Villa, and he has made an immediate impact back in the first-team.

The Ivorian has helped Villa improved their form considerably, and Bruce’s side are now unbeaten in their last five matches.

However, Kodjia showed the good and the bad of his game in Villa’s last outing against Bolton Wanderers.

The 27-year-old scored the only goal of the contest to provide Villa with the three points, but he also missed a wonderful opportunity.

And Bruce admits that Kodjia’s reactionary performances are very hard to predict.

“That was typical Jimmy,” Bruce said.

“He produces a bit of magic but then should have passed one and that’s the way he plays.

“He is off the cuff and when you have got someone who is off the cuff then you must encourage them.

“You don’t know what he is going to do. That is what gives him that bit of flair.”

Kodjia was Villa’s top scorer last term, but his strike against Bolton was his first in almost half a year.

Villa’s big improvement in recent weeks has seen them accelerate up the Championship standings and into seventh position.