---
title: "Striker’s Absence Won’t Force Bruce Into January Signings"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2016/12/25/strikers-absence-wont-force-bruce-january-signings/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sheldon Muchmore"
section: "Aston Villa Transfer News"
published: "2016-12-25T11:31:07Z"
modified: "2016-12-25T16:44:52Z"
---

# Striker’s Absence Won’t Force Bruce Into January Signings

According to [reports](https://www.squawka.com/news/aston-villa-boss-steve-bruce-wont-be-forced-into-january-transfer-market-by-jonathan-kodjia-absence/861353), Steve Bruce has insisted that Jonathan Kodjia’s absence in January, due to the African Cup of Nations, won’t force him into signing a new striker.

Kodjia, who has six caps for the Ivory Coast, is all but guaranteed to be adding more to his tally during the 2017 ACON in Gabon in the New Year.

The talented centre-forward has been in great form this season, and it is his goals that have been keeping Villa in sight of a play-off position. Kodjia is the first name that Bruce writes on the team sheet.

Although Villa will also be missing Jordan Ayew as well, they still have plenty of options up front, and they now have another since Agbonlahor has been reintegrated into the squad.

Therefore, it is believed that Bruce is not looking to add to his front-line in next month’s transfer window:

> “The media and agents are fuelling everything, we all know the game. I don’t think it’ll force me into the market because the one place in the team where we’re overloaded with players is strikers. Jonathan Kodjia has been excellent, in the 11 games I’ve been here he’s scored eight goals which is crucial. We always knew he was going to the Africa Cup of Nations. This is why we needed to get Gabby in some sort of shape which he is now, quietly and efficiently over the last three months he’s got back into condition.”

Villa will look to spend wisely this transfer window as they look to close a 6 point gap on the Championship play-off places.