Bruce believes loss of key duo will cost Aston Villa a play-off spot

Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce believes the absence of Jonathan Kodjia and Mile Jedinak in January has cost his side a shot at the play-offs.

Kodjia scored the only goal as Villa beat QPR on Tuesday night, his seventh in as many games, while midfielder Jedinak helped anchor his side to their fifth consecutive home clean sheet.

But Ivorian Kodjia was away at the Africa Cup of Nations at the start of the year, while Jedinak then missed a clutch of matches through injury.

In that six-week period where they did not play together, Villa picked up just one point in seven games and are currently nine off the play-off places.

“We’ve probably given ourselves too much to do,” Bruce said.

“It’s just a shame about that awful run we had when we were without Kodjia and Jedinak. There’s the common denominator.

“There’s a huge emphasis on Jon, and that tremendous bit of quality has won us the match

“And big boy Jedinak has been one of the big keys for us, in terms of the way he leads the team, the way he protects his centre-backs.

“It’s just a shame that we’re not four or five points closer.”

Bruce, labelled a “world-class manager” by opposite number Ian Holloway after the game, admitted his side had made hard work of beating QPR, who dominated the ball in the second half.

He said: “They had good possession QPR and made it difficult for us. When you don’t get the second one you become edgy and every time you give the ball away, the crowd becomes edgy.

“The whole thing then turns into one of them awkward evenings which for me should have been a bit more comfortable. We had enough chances to get the second.”