Many Aston Villa fans have been replying to a post by the Birmingham-based outfit on Twitter celebrating Jonathan Kodjia turning 30, but some have shared messages looking beyond the primary aspect.
Kodjia turned 30 on Tuesday, October 22, but has not been seen on the field for Dean Smith’s side since playing 16 minutes of the Villans’ opening day defeat at Tottenham Hotspur (WhoScored).
The Ivory Coast international has been forced to watch much of the Premier League campaign from the sidelines, as he has suffered from ankle and cheekbone injuries (Birmingham Mail).
The 21-cap forward is thought to be back in contention now, though, which should delight many of the Villa fans who responded to their club’s post celebrating Kodjia turning 30.
Many shared messages declaring their desire to see Kodjia back on the field, as he could have been a ‘top player’ had it not been for his injury record.
Kodjia missed ten games during 2017 after he sustained an ankle injury, and was later forced to miss another 21 fixtures across all competitions in the 2017/18 campaign when another ankle gripe meant he required surgery (TransferMarkt).
But the Saint-Denis, France-born attacker was a regular in the Villa side last term, as he made 43 outings in total, while starting 22 of his 39 regular season Championship appearances as the Claret & Blue side booked their place in the Play-Offs.
Here are some of the messages shared…
Happy 30th Jonathan have a great day mate, cant wait to see you playing again son. U.T.V ???
— Justin McDonald (@Justin020466) October 22, 2019
Happy birthday Jimmy! Get yourself fit and see you in the prem soon! ???
— Jay ? (@JayJayVillan) October 23, 2019
Happy birthday and thanks for your good work in hard times for the club. Hope to see you soon again with the first team.
— Juan Bernabeu Fanlo (@jbernabeuf) October 22, 2019
Without injuries and a run in the team under a manager that saw him as first choice, Kodjia would have been a top player and goal scorer for us. Happy birthday Jimmy #avfc
— Mr Thompson (@mrthompson81) October 22, 2019
While there are a few Villa fans keen to see Kodjia on the field in Claret & Blue again, there are some who feel the Villans should have sold the Stade Reims product as long as two years ago.
Kodjia joined the Birmingham-based outfit from Bristol City in the summer of 2016, and went on to make 26 Championship appearances for his new side, scoring 19 times and assisting once. His efforts against Fulham, Blackburn Rovers, Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich City that term also directly contributed to the Villans taking three points, as well as draws with Brentford, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United and Burton Albion.
Injuries plagued his second campaign in Birmingham, before returning to a regular role last season, and is now two outings away from reaching a centenary in Claret & Blue.
Villa had a chance to cash-in on Kodjia in 2018, as Football Insider claimed Leeds were readying a move for the Ivory Coast forward as an alternative to Derby County’s Matej Vydra, who ultimately joined Burnley instead.
Should’ve sold him two years ago
— I’m Hard 4 Aston Villa (@Hard4AstonVilla) October 22, 2019
Along with fans sharing their hopes for and frustrations at Kodjia’s career, there were many Aston Villa supporters seemingly taken back by their forward being 30-years-old.
Kodjia is one of the more senior members of Smith’s dressing room at Villa Park, with 33-year-old Tom Heaton and 32-year-old Ahmed Elmohamady the eldest players at the Birmingham-based outfit (TransferMarkt).
James Chester and Neil Taylor will both turn 31 this season, while Lovre Kalinic will join Kodjia in the 30 club next April.
Villa have boasted the eighth-youngest side in the Premier League on average this season, with Smith often selecting an XI with an average age of 25.6, helped by his preference to select 24-year-old Jack Grealish, 22-year-old Wesley Moraes and having 21-year-olds Douglas Luiz and Keinan Davis to hand (WhoScored).
30? 30?! Jaysus.
— Theo (@TheotopiaII) October 22, 2019
30? Jeez
Happy Birthday King?— AVFC.HUB (@avfc_hub) October 22, 2019
Kodjia is 30 ???
— Roadie ?? (@ROADIERHODES) October 22, 2019