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Who is Aston Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia?

By Josh Tonti

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Jonathan Kodjia of Bristol City shows a look of dejection during the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City and Birmingham City at Ashton Gate on January 30, 2016 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
BRISTOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Jonathan Kodjia of Bristol City shows a look of dejection during the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City and Birmingham City at Ashton Gate on January 30, 2016 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images) /
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Roberto Di Matteo receives the forward reinforcements he desires. Ivory Coast international Jonathan Kodjia joins Aston Villa from Bristol City on a ~£11 million pound move.

Let’s start with the basics: Kodjia joins Villa after one full season at Bristol City in which he scored twenty goals in all competitions. Not a bad return, although he did feature in forty-five matches; less than the desired two games for every one goal ratio.

Kodjia is a classic number nine playing the most advanced position in the attack. At 26 and standing six feet, two inches tall, he has the strength to punish opposing center backs. In addition to his hold-up play, Kodjia possesses solid pace for his tall frame. Add both elements together and you have the potential for a solid target striker.

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Kodjia’s goal scoring prowess extends beyond his Bristol City days as well. The year prior to his England move, he netted fifteen goals in twenty-eight while plying his trade for French Ligue 2’s Angers SCO.

With his standout play, he was recently rewarded with a call-up to the Ivory Coast National Team–the birthplace of his father (Kodjia is French-born in the city of Saint-Denis). He scored in his second ever appearance for Les Éléphants in a most recent friendly vs. Gabon in June.

Kodjia is a great signing for Aston Villa, but he doesn’t move the needle entirely. Some deep, fundamental problems remain with Villa’s squad. Adding Kodjia to lead the line won’t help the attack if a true winger doesn’t exist at the club. Jack Grealish is adept at playing on the left, but he’s more of a threat playing centrally where he can link up play–a position also covered by Ross McCormack and Jordan Ayew (who should not be playing on the right wing).

Kodjia’s four-year deal is solid-average value at £11 million, but he needs support on the wing–something Aston Villa do not have. Perhaps Dr. Tony Xia has a surprise for us by tomorrow’s deadline day.

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