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Aston Villa fear after Jonathan Kodjia injury

Striker Jonathan Kodjia is a major doubt for Villa’s trip to Preston on Wednesday with an ankle injury.

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The 28-year-old was forced off late during yesterday’s 0-0 derby draw at Blues after taking a knock to the same ankle he broke at Blackburn back in April.

Kodjia spent more than four months on the sidelines and missed the start of the season before returning in September.

Boss Steve Bruce said: “He’s gone over on his ankle. The same one he had in the summer.

“We don’t know how bad it is now but certainly he looks a big doubt for Wednesday.

“You can never tell with Kodj. He’s disappointed because he didn’t want to come off.

“But I don’t know how bad it is, I’m only speculating.

“When he did it at Blackburn (last season), I didn’t think he would have a fractured ankle.

“Touch wood it isn’t too bad and we have a bit of luck.”

Kodjia twice came close to being Villa’s match-winner at St Andrew’s, first when his header was brilliantly kept out by Blues keeper Tomasz Kuszczak, before the Ivory Coast international curled an effort off the bar with what proved to be the last kick of the game.

Substitute Keinan Davis also struck the woodwork, though Bruce acknowledged a draw was the fair result after Cheikh Ndoye, Jota and Sam Gallagher all went close for the hosts.

“We had three really good chances but so have they, Jota had a great chance,” he said.

“But it was probably the only real one they had. Keinan had a big chance. He could have been the hero.

“It’s typical of the Championship. We seen a few coupon-busters on Saturday with Wolves losing at QPR and Bristol City winning at Sunderland, a relegated team last year.

“That’s what the Championship is all about

“We have to recover against Preston now who have a day longer to recover which isn’t right but that’s what you get used to.

“We’ve got a few coming back which is good. The likes of Mile Jedinak, Jack Grealish and Henri Lansbury. That looks good for the week’s ahead.”