Express & Star

Jonathan Kodjia returning for Aston Villa this weekend in time for defining period of the season

Star striker Jonathan Kodjia is set to return from his five-month lay-off this weekend in time for Villa's defining period of the season.

Published
Last updated

Last season's top goalscorer suffered a recurring ankle injury twice last year and hasn't featured since the second city derby at the end of October.

But he played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Peterborough in the first week of the international break and is set to be in the squad for Saturday's evening kick-off at Hull City.

Villa boss Steve Bruce, who back in January thought Kodjia might not feature again this season, is delighted to have the 28-year-old back in contention for a hectic run of five games in 14 days.

"He will be involved," confirmed Bruce. "That's a big boost to us all, he played 45 minutes in a behind closed doors game.

"He's trained since and looks in decent nick, so just at the right time we could be having our big centre forward available.

"The two weeks off has given us (a chance to put some) intense work into him. Jimmy being Jimmy, he wants to be involved. All of a sudden we can unleash him.

"When you've been out for practically all season, you can't expect him to waltz back in, but certainly he can make an impact."

Kodjia is expected to be named on the bench at the KCOM Stadium, but his return has given Bruce plenty of competition up front where he also has in-form January loan signing Lewis Grabban, Scott Hogan, and Keinan Davis available.

The Villa boss is planning to rotate his strikers during a busy fortnight that he believes will define the club's season.

Two defeats in a row has left Villa seven points off the automatic promotion spots, and that could be extended to 10 points should Cardiff City beat Burton Albion today, but Bruce is refusing to give up on finishing in the top two.

"If we're capable of losing two games a week, so are others," he said. "Can we be in a position to strike? We're there or thereabouts, these five games are the defining moments of the season that's for sure."

However, Bruce is frustrated the league is set to be decided by so many games in such a short space of time.

"There shouldn't be an international break in these two weeks," he said. "There's too much to play for with Championships to be decided.

"Asking to play five games in two weeks is ridiculous. I'm being brutally selfish here now, but it doesn't do anybody any good.

"It is the most important part of the season. However, that's me being a b***h."

Glenn Whelan is the only doubt for tomorrow's match at Hull City, as Neil Taylor, Allan Hutton and Axel Tuanzebe are all back available.