Last week, Remi Garde made comments in regards to Libor Kozak’s continuous lack of first team football. In summary, Garde stated that Kozak was simply not good enough to play for the first team and the likes of Gestede, Ayew and Agbonlahor are simply better options this season. Really? Against Southampton Gestede was again woeful, not really giving Aston Villa much in attack. Additionally, Gestede, yet again miss-kicked a low cross. Is Kozak really that poor in training? Can he really not kick a ball?
Perhaps I might be on to something, last night, Aston Villa’s U21 played against Derby, where Villa won 2-1 due to two goals from Kozak. They were well taken as well, and shows that Kozak is match fit, can score goals and looking to play football. If Remi Garde will not give Kozak that opportunity, Celtic’s scouts were watching Kozak play yesterday and are looking to make another bid to bring the Czech to Celtic. During the summer, Kozak rejected a transfer to Celtic as he searched for first team football at Villa. That might change now, and Kozak might leave us for good, something that I strongly believe is a bit unfair on the Czech.
Pundits who watched Kozak last night said that he did play well, but at times was afraid of getting tackled. It appears as though Kozak is still a little afraid of getting reinjured, and as a result can’t really get stuck in with some challenges. Perhaps something that could be cured with a little first team football…
I’m a big believer in Kozak, yes he wasn’t amazing in 2013/14 season when he joined us. But he was solid, offered us an alternative to Benteke and scored goals out of nothing. Exactly the type of striker that Villa need! Kozak has still scored more goals than Gestede has managed, despite not playing for years now. I say, Garde, give Kozak a chance!