Steve Bruce warns off suitors for Jonathan Kodjia in vow on Aston Villa future

Kodjia has proved a huge success at Villa Park, scoring 19 goals after joining in a Championship-record £15 million deal from Bristol City last September.

Boss Bruce acknowledges the 27-year-old's blistering form will have drawn admiring glances from the Premier League but insists he has so far received no contact from any potential suitors.

And with the pressure set to be on to secure a top flight return for Villa next season, the manager is hoping his phone remains silent.

"I can honestly say I have had no phone call. No big club, no manager has phoned me. I hope that stays the same," said Bruce.

"We are Aston Villa and we want to try and get promoted. I know my neck is on the line. That goes with any manager of Aston Villa in the Championship.

"I will do everything I possibly can to remain here at this club. If Chelsea come in tomorrow (for Kodjia), then that is the reality. But it would take a colossal sum of money for us to even think about it."

Kodjia, who has recovered from the dead leg which forced his early exit from last weekend's 1-1 draw at Burton, is set to start against Reading on Saturday, needing just one more goal to become the first Villa striker in 36 years to score 20 in a league campaign.

Bruce added: "He is the victim of his own success. It's why he's here, because he was a success for Bristol City. Now he has gone on to be a success here and I'm sure he has got suitors in the Premier League, why wouldn't you? "Let's hope the phone doesn't ring. When I go on holiday they will not be able to get hold of me, so good luck to anybody out there!"

Attacking trio Rushian Hepburn-Murphy (ankle), Andre Green and Gabriel Agbonlahor (both hamstring) are all in contention for Saturday's game after recovering from injury.