Libor Kozák was at Aston Villa for four seasons from 2013 to 2017.
Villa took the striker from Lazio after he impressed for them in the Europa League, scoring 10 goals in 11 appearances during the 2012/13 season. He was the top scorer of the competition.
The 30-year-old, who is currently at Sparta Prague, has now admitted he had to fight with Lazio chairman Claudio Lotito and sporting director Igli Tare to get a move to Aston Villa.
“Last season [at Lazio], being top scorer in the European competition, I had the opportunity to have other experiences. This team has remained in my heart, I always think of them and the fans have been wonderful,” he said, as quoted by Lazionews24.com.
“I wanted to go to England, but it was difficult to find an agreement with Lotito and Tare. After a bit of fighting, we finally shook hands and I managed to go to Aston Villa.”
The Czech Republic international’s time at Villa Park was disappointing as he managed to score only four goals in four seasons. He also struggled with two serious injuries during his spell with Villa.
A training ground collision in January 2014 resulted in a broken foot and the frontman took over 16 months to return to action. This forced him to miss the 2014/15 season. An ankle injury in January 2016 meant he was out of action for more than eight months.
Concerns over fitness and poor form saw Villa release Kozák after the end of the 2016/17 season.
