After a fantastic performance by Philippe Coutinho on his debut with Aston Villa on Saturday, January 15, 2022, one question remains, is he what Villa and Steven Gerrard needed to flourish in the Premier League?
At the beginning of the 2021/2022 Premier League season, Villa recruited various players who seemed Villa would be a side that could potentially fight for a European spot. However, that illusion came up short with poor results time after time that eventually led to Dean Smith’s sacking.
The sale of their star Jack Grealish left a big void to fill in the summer, and for that reason, a number of players were brought on to fill that void. Leon Bailey, Emiliano Buendía, Danny Ings were brought on using Grealish’s transfer money. Others came via free transfers and loans like Ashley Young and Axel Tuanzebe. Now that the Winter Transfer window is underway, Villa has gone shopping and brought on Lucas Digne, and as a reference point, Coutinho is on a loan deal with an option to buy.
The reunion of Gerrard and Coutinho sparked that previous friendship the two shared back in their Liverpool days. Adding Coutinho in the Villa mix might seem to be what Villas needed–a different injection of pace, as well as a “erase the past and work on the future” kind of feel to it.
The Villan’s will seem to have a comfortable schedule coming up as they’ll play against Everton, who just sacked Rafa Benitez, struggling Leeds, and bottom-of-the-table Newcastle in their upcoming three matches. Achieving three wins will be an enormous confidence boost for Coutinho to perform without a problem.
Coutinho’s time at Barcelona may soon come to an end. If he keeps up performing, given that Gerrard gives him more minutes on the pitch, the 29-year-old Brazilian might influence the Villan’s board to buy out his loan contract. The buyout clause is reported to have a €40.00m price tag.
Philippe Coutinho deal details. Buy option clause for Aston Villa will be valid until June and it’s understood to be €40m. 🔴🇧🇷 #AVFC @tjuanmarti
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 7, 2022
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Gerrard has a lot of work to do despite the additions of Coutinho and Digne to the roster. Getting this team back to that winning mentality. The team is currently 10 points away from European Competitions with 18 games left in the season. With much work to do and not enough time, change must come quickly–Coutinho might be the influence Aston Villa needs.
The Brazilian starlet has landed in the best team he could’ve arrived at. Aston Villa is a team that is struggling. His experience and talents can add what Villa needs to mount a serious challenge to the team at the top.
Coutinho could make the impact he needs in his career and seal a permanent transfer to Villa Park in the 2022/2023 season. His position in the Brazilian World Cup squad is in play, Aston Villa is exactly what he needs to regain his spot in Tite’s final squad.