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!
All we are saaaying…is give Libor a chaaaaaaance…..
There would be no harm done in giving a couple of games. who knows he could just make a difference. But there again why do we need him as Grealish is back in training with first team, our savior is reborn!
If LIBOR needs fixing send him to the Square Mile.
Very droll…
Needs to play, needs to start on Sunday. I also think its an easy way to lift the crowd before the game I imagine he will get a massive welcome back from us.
Start him on the bench, let him come on after 60-65 minutes. His movement is solid and he’s strong enough. He also has a poacher-like mentality. Don’t think he’s ready to start. But yes, he should be in the team. Much better all around player to Gestede.
I don’t get why he hasn’t even been given a chance to come off the bench. It’s not like Agbonlahor’s scoring record is any better…
Basically we don’t know and the manager does. We have to trust Garde on this.
Is it a co-incidence that three managers running haven’t called on him yet?
I’d love to think that he can help but are we clutching at straws here?
The lad had a good preseason with us scoring 3 I think and he also scored 4 in his 15 Premier apps (mainly as a sub to Benteke) before his injury. Reading the last 2 under 21 games he has played well scoring 3 goals so as was previously stated let’s get him on and see what he can do!
i think the best quote I have read about Kozak was in the Mail…and it was something along the lines of:
In the minds of the fans Kozak has seemingly got a lot better since being out injured.
The Kozak I remember was a pretty slow, run of the mill centre forward. What I mean by this is he does play him, we cant be expecting too much. However, given our current state of affairs, I dont think he could any worse than Gestede or Gabby…and he does have an eye for goal.
From what I remember of Kozak, he wasn’t great but he was solid. He was a good replacement for Benteke, tactically since Villa liked to lump the ball forward to the main striker.
He couldn’t get passed players like Benteke, but he was able to score goals out of nothing.
He was average a few seasons back next to Benteke, what does that make him now? We’ll never know unless he is given some game time
Actually, if I recall correctly Kozak got quite a bit of stick on here and was a bit of a ‘marmite’ player. He did hold the ball up well and seemed to have an eye for goal…..and of course he was being compared to Benteke
Is he our saviour- I doubt it very much. Does he have more experience than Gestede at the highest level – undoubtedly yes. Can he overcome the injury he suffered and time out of the game which has apparently affected his confidence (going into tackles etc.) – that is the big question plus we can’t afford to experiment ……… can we?
Hitch , up late mate?or up early agree with that on Kodak, I think all players have that fear after leg breaks, take Alex Cropley never the same after his stupid friendly game , but what do we have other than try, I think the same about him why have other managers bye past him ? they must see what we don’t. No way back for us now gone to far,
Its damage limitation now Bill, as I can see us beating Derby County’s record !!
Up late Bill after restaurant with friends. Now up early with the sun!
Bill,….. Alex Cropley.
Now you’re talking.
Don’t forget, he’d already done his leg at Arse, as a kid.
So it was actually the second time.
Puny little bloke, but what a player.
One of my all time Villa heroes, as he had bigger balls than anyone playing the game now, imo.
“Alex, Alex Cropely”
We were a decent side then 🙁
I remember blue noses singing Alex Cropely can’t walk properly when I was at school. Was at the game v WBA when he had his leg done awful challenge and he was never right after that. Remember Tommy Craig lol
Why not give him a run out we’ve got FUCKall to lose we’re at rock bottom & GARDE should try all his options maybe he’ll start banging em in for us oh what a thought.
Cant be any worse than the useless lumps we have playing for us at the moment….. No doubt some useless aged mercenaries with underlying injuries will be joining us in January….. Cant wait !!
Can’t wait for January’s window LOL.
Hope its double glaze Giddy, we need it.
Kozak should get a run out. Gestede has two left feet and has no movement up front. We have nothing lose by putting him in the team.
Goals speak for themselves Libor starts for me every game since pre season he scores that’s all he needs to do
So who’s going to want to come to a team routed to the bottom of the premiership looking like they are going into the Chumpionship can someone help me here or am I missing something ?
Looks like Kozak might be going anyway. Deila’s been down from Celtic to have a look
Also very surprised that we have Brian Little (No. 7) and John Gregory (No. 5) in the Top 10 Premier League managers table for win percentages!
* Definition – Win ‘to achieve first position and/or get a prize in a competition, election, fight, etc.’
Just in case anyone’s forgotten :-):
LOL 😀 CHEERS for jogging my memory I knew it was a 3 letter word that’s about it.
Arsenal 3 up in euro…..hope they always loose after a euro game …lol
They will beat us in afraid. Best chance we’ve got is park the bus like we did v city and rude our luck to get 0.0. But a point is totally useless to us now we need wins desperately. In fact we may as well go for 3 points as one point won’t make a difference either way