The Czech striker was reported to have held talks with the Scottish champions earlier this week but it now looks like his long-term future lies at Villa Park.
Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood has refuted suggestions that Libor Kozak could be sold this summer following reports linking the striker with a switch to Celtic.
Kozak, 26, was reported to have held talks with the Scottish champions earlier this week [h/t The Times] and, while he is since believed to have rejected their advances, the likes of the Birmingham Mail have claimed that he could still move on before the transfer window closes.
However, speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Sunderland, Sherwood insisted that the Czech Republic international is still in his plans for this season.
“No, no,” he said, when asked whether Kozak could be heading for the exit door. “He’s one of the strikers who we’re working hard with to try and get him back to fitness and get some confidence into his play.”
After 19 months out of first-team action following a career-threatening leg-break, Kozak battled back from two operations to establish himself as one of Villa’s stars of the pre-season.
Netting three times in five games, the former Lazio man looked to be pushing himself into starting contention following Christian Benteke’s departure to Liverpool but, with the campaign proper now four games old, he has since had to settle for just one substitute appearance in Tuesday night’s 5-3 Capital One Cup victory over Notts County.
That in mind, Sherwood did seem to hint that a short-term loan move was still possible for the towering front man, adding: “We’d like to see him play on a regular basis.”
However, Kozak’s immediate future at Villa Park could well depend on whether Sherwood is able to bring in another goalscorer before the transfer deadline.
While stressing that he is pleased with his current squad, the Villa boss did add that he would be open to making further additions if the right players are available – and if he can raise the necessary funds.
“I’m happy with the squad we’ve got but if the right player becomes available – and we manage to move a few out as well – then we’ll always bring one in,” he told reporters.
“You just never know whether you going to be able to bring anyone else in or get them out.
“We’ve got guys here who talk to me about players who might be surplus to requirements or we could bring in, so I concentrate on improving and working with what we have here because I think that’s the most important bit.
“I have the final say, though, so if they’re a success it’s down to be and if they’re a failure it’s also down to me.”
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