Bruce believes Kodjia is in the mould of the Premier League legend.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has told reporters that Jonathan Kodjia comes from the same model of striker as Thierry Henry, as reported by the Express & Star.
Villa paid an upfront fee of £11 million, potentially rising to £15 million, for the 27-year-old this summer, a sum which drew criticism from many observers.
However, the former Bristol City man has already gone some way to repaying that fee, hitting six goals in 15 Championship appearances.
He, and Villa overall, have experienced a dramatic change in fortunes since Bruce’s appointment as Roberto di Matteo’s replacement last month, netting five times in his last five games to help Villa navigate that period without suffering defeat.
Kodjia’s vast skill set has been on full display in recent weeks, as well as his ability to both lead the attacking line and come in come from the flank.
In that, Bruce believes that his star man is similar to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who was a winger before becoming one of the Premier League’s all-time greatest strikers.
Bruce said, via the Express & Star: “I am just looking at the squad of players now and how to get the best out of them. Kodjia is the prime one. In France they don’t play as wingers, they play as centre-forwards but to the left or the right. The classic one was Thierry Henry.
“You only have to come and watch him to see what a good player he is. He’s got that trick in his locker. What he does do very well for us is he enjoys playing on the side.
“He is a centre-forward who plays wide and does it very well. All of his goals, he’s got penalties, of course, have come from that way. It’s important. It helps me to get another centre-forward on the pitch.”
Kodjia’s talent and versatility are making him the first name on Bruce’s teamsheet at the moment, and Villa fans will be hoping to see more magic from their new hero as they travel to high-flying Brighton tonight.
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