Steve Bruce: Aston Villa's Jonathan Kodjia could miss six months

The 27-year-old striker underwent an operation in Belgium yesterday, having sustained the injury in Villa’s 1-0 defeat at Blackburn last Saturday.

Kodjia has been the undisputed star of Villa’s campaign, scoring 19 goals after joining from Bristol City in a Championship record deal worth £15million last September.

But he is now set to miss the start of next season, in what is a huge blow to Villa and particularly Bruce.

“We are devastated, not just for him but for all of us,” said the manager. “The summer plans were always with Kodjia available for next year, considering the year he has had.

“They are telling us it is three to four months, which probably means the best part of six months.

“It is difficult but that is what football is. You suffer injuries and we have been dealt a harsh blow.

“We wish him a speedy recovery.”

Kodjia’s injury means he finishes the season just one goal shy of becoming the first Villa striker since Peter Withe to hit 20 in a league campaign.

Mile Jedinak (groin), Alan Hutton (ribs) and Gabriel Agbonlahor (ankle) have also been ruled out of Sunday’s season finale against Brighton at Villa Park.

Meanwhile Villa have confirmed the first of their summer departures with the release of striker Libor Kozak.

Midfielder Carlos Sanchez is also closing in on the exit door after boss Steve Bruce revealed had met the criteria to trigger a permanent move to Fiorentina this summer.

The Colombian midfielder has spent the season on loan in Serie A.

Kozak’s release meanwhile brings an end to four injury-blighted years at Villa Park for the former Czech Republic international.

Signed for a fee of around £7million by Paul Lambert in the summer of 2013, Kozak went on to make just 21 appearances for the club.

The 27-year-old’s four goals all came in his first campaign before he suffered a broken leg which ruled him out for more than a year.