Aston Villa 2 Norwich City 0: Star striker Jonathan Kodjia bagged himself a brace as the Villans move up to 11th in the Sky Bet Championship
STEVE BRUCE insisted Aston Villa are under no pressure to sell Jonathan Kodjia.
The 17-goal striker hit a dynamic double to seal a fourth straight home win.
Jonathan Kodjia opened the scoring with a glorious attempt that nestled into the top cornerGetty ImagesThe Ivory Coast international has been in prolific form since signing from Bristol City last summerGetty Images
The Premier League vultures are circling around the £15million man — but Bruce said there is no need for the cash at the club.
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Villa’s boss said: “No there isn’t, and nor should there be, we’re Aston Villa, we’ve got to get back in the big league. We don’t want to talk about him leaving, we want to keep improving and he’s vital to that.
“You can never say never, but I’m sure we’ll do our damnedest to keep him. But how can you deny him if Chelsea come in?”
Kodjia looked a cut above as he fired Villa ahead after 25 minutes with a superb finish into the top corner from Scott Hogan’s ball.
The 27-year-old doubled the lead after hesitation from Norwich City to ensure a fourth consecutive home winReuters
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Aston Villa have vastly improved since Steve Bruce took chargeReuters
And he nipped in to score from Sam Johnstone’s clearance when Norwich keeper Michael McGovern and Ryan Bennett hesitated.
It was a day when nothing went right for the Canaries, who twice saw Cameron Jerome denied by Johnstone and had defender Ivo Pinto sent off for a second yellow card.
And Neil Taylor dived in with a superb tackle to deny Canaries sub Nelson Oliveira an equaliser. Two minutes later, Kodjia grabbed his second.
Caretaker boss Alan Irvine said: “Even with ten men we could have scored.
“This result doesn’t change my position here. I enjoyed the performance but I’m bitterly disappointed by the result.”
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