Aston Villa have confirmed that Jonathan Kodjia is ‘fit and available’ to face Hull City on Saturday afternoon. The 29-year-old had been suffering from an ankle injury that caused him to miss last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic, but he’s expected to return to the matchday squad this time out.
Dean Smith said: “Jon came in and trained fully from Monday. He’s fit, available for selection and looks really good. He had jolted his ankle. He’s had previous history with that so he didn’t train on the Friday. But he’s back now.”
Kodjia hasn’t been in the best scoring form in recent months, netting only two Championship goals since early October. The Ivorian international has found himself behind the likes of Tammy Abraham in the pecking order but hasn’t proven useful when deputising for the on-loan centre-forward.
His future at Villa Park may be in doubt as a result, although the club aren’t likely to entertain bids until they sign more cover in attack. Scott Hogan could be on his way out of the Midlands in January or next summer, so it’s likely that Kodjia will be retained at least for another six months.
The former Bristol City man has scored and created eight goals in 25 league games this season, but he’s looked human in the last few months when Villa have needed him the most. Dean Smith’s men are currently eighth in the table with 39 points from 27 games, coming off the back of just one win in seven.
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