Aston Villa have decided not to lend striker Libor Kozak to fierce rivals Birmingham City, according to reports from the Daily Mirror.

Kozak has struggled for regular minutes on the pitch for Villa this season and has not featured at all since the arrival of new manager Remi Garde.

As a result, Czech Republic attacker Kozak had been widely tipped to leave Villa and Championship side Birmingham were said to be interested in taking the 26-year old on a loan deal.

However, it has been claimed that Villa are not prepared to loan out Kozak to their fierce West Midlands rivals and the striker will remain put at Villa Park for the time being.