Jonathan Kodjia broke his goal drought for Aston Villa on Saturday.
Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has told the club’s official website that he has never seen Jonathan Kodjia look as sharp as he is now now.
The 28-year-old opened his account for Aston Villa this season on Saturday as Bruce’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
It was the Ivorian’s first goal for Villa in 11 months after a disastrous 2017-18 campaign which was decimated by a lack of fitness and form.
Kodjia, who also hit the crossbar, can be a huge asset for the Villans, evident by the fact that he scored 19 Championship goals during the 2016-17 season after securing a £15 million move from Bristol City.
But Bruce has claimed that this version of Kodjia is the best that he’s ever seen.
“It’s the best I’ve seen him,” he told Aston Villa’s official website. “We’ve been patient with him and he looked like that threat again.
“We hope he can give us the goals he did a few seasons ago because we all know when he’s fit and firing he’s a great player.
“A goal for a striker does them the world of good, and it’s a great ball in from John McGinn, too. It’s a quality goal and it’s a shame that same quality didn’t shine through in the second half.”
Promotion is once again the priority for Bruce’s side, who were beaten finalists in the playoffs last term.
But having a fit-and-firing Kodjia – who earns £35,000 per week at Villa Park [Silly Season] – could make all the difference this time around.
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