“Devastating” Kodjia Injury Update

Steve Bruce’s post-match press conference delivered “devastating” news on Jonathan Kodjia’s ankle injury.  The manager’s delight at a home victory against Sunderland was tempered by the news around his striker’s injury prognosis.

The news regarding the Kodjia injury shows that he will need an operation on the ankle injured in the Second City derby game last month and was aggravated on international duty.  Bruce is resigned to losing Kodjia for a considerable amount of time, “It’s going to be months and that is a big blow to us.”

Kodjia has received medical assessments in both France and England. The scans showed that the player will need an operation.  Having already lost time earlier in the season to an ankle injury, Bruce was correct in his summation of the effects to player and club.  Having battled back from the season-ending injury, Kodjia will feel that he is jinxed.  He will have to spend more time on the sidelines whilst recovering from the operation to correct the problem.

With Scott Hogan out of action due to his stomach injury, and Gabby Agbonlahor not close to fitness, Villa’s only recognised striker is Keinan Davis.  With Albert Adomah’s form in front of goal, Villa are coping with their situation but is unsustainable over a long period.  Ross McCormack is currently on loan at Melbourne City but has run into some disciplinary problems.  It is unlikely that club and player will feel that a recall is a viable option.

Bruce will undoubtedly be looking for an experienced striker in January to relieve the crisis up front. With Villa currently sitting in a playoff position, momentum is key. A striker with experience would relieve the manager’s current problem.  In the meantime, Villa are likely to head into the busy Christmas and New Year period with a precarious striker position along with club captain John Terry on the sidelines.