Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has dubbed striker Jonathan Kodjia as 'unfortunate' after a season in which he has had to play back-up to Tammy Abraham, report the Birmingham Mail.

Abraham scored 25 goals during the league season after joining on a season-long loan from Chelsea back in the summer, bumping Kodjia down the pecking order.

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“He’s been brilliant since I’ve been here,” said Smith.

“But he’s also been very unfortunate that Tammy has scored 25 goals - the first time anyone has done that for the football club in 40 years.

“Three goals in four games shows me what he can do and he’s getting fitter and fitter."

Smith takes his side into the play-offs having lost just once in their last 12 matches, a run that included a club record ten consecutive wins.

Both themselves and West Bromwich Albion come into the clash off the back of losses on the final day of the season, however.

Villa were beaten 2-1 by Norwich City as the Canaries fought for the Championship title whilst the Baggies were beaten 3-1 by Derby County as the Rams made their top-six spot safe.

The verdict

Kodjia has been excellent this season.

I would not have been too surprised if he had tried to push for a move more during the January window after it had become apparent that he would not be first-choice.

But he stayed and has been ready to step-up whenever he has been called upon, playing a big role in that run that saw Villa creep into the top-six.