Steve Bruce praises 'excellent' Aston Villa and eases Jonathan Kodjia fears

The 28-year-old missed Wednesday night’s 2-0 win at Preston with an ankle injury suffered in Sunday’s 0-0 derby draw at Blues.

Kodjia missed more than four months after breaking the same ankle back in April and his latest injury sparked concerns of another long-term absence.

But Bruce revealed scans and X-Rays had found no damage and has not yet ruled the Ivory Coast international out of the weekend.

“We don’t think it’s serious, thankfully. We hope he might be available for the weekend,” said Bruce.

“I would suggest he is less than 50-50 because he was a bit sore. But the scans are OK, the X-Ray is OK.

“He has obviously twisted his ankle and it is the one he fractured, which worries everyone. But we think he is going to be OK.”

First half goals from James Chester and Robert Snodgrass saw Villa record a sixth win in eight games to climb back into the Championship top five.

It was also Villa's third away victory of the season, having won just four times on their travels last term.

Bruce said: "We played very well away at Burton and at Barnsley in winning there but tonight, the first half in particular, we were excellent.

"With the chances we created it could have been more comfortable. We’ve had some good chances to take it away from Preston and overall I think you have to agree that it was a really good performance from us.

“In the second half they changed their formation and went from back to front. They put it to the big guy. I thought my two centre-backs and the goalkeeper were immaculate all night. Their positioning, bravery and overall reading of the game was terrific.”

Keinan Davis, who started up front in Kodjia’s absence, also received praise from the boss.

“Overall the way he led the line was remarkable,” said Bruce.