View: Philippe Coutinho injury could leave Unai Emery unimpressed at Aston Villa
Philippe Coutinho is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines for Aston Villa and is expected to be out for six weeks, according to the Times.
Coutinho’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time, with the World Cup just around the corner and a new Aston Villa head coach to impress.
The 30-year-old has struggled for form with Villa this season, only starting six games and now risks becoming a spare part in Unai Emery’s plans.
With Coutinho’s new injury, it’s unclear how or whether Emery would use him at Villa and after the Spaniard’s convincing first win without the Brazilian he may choose not to.
Coutinho hasn’t done himself any favours either, when he has been fit he became surplus to requirements for Steven Gerrard despite glimpses of brilliance last year.
Hit or miss.
Coutinho could either fly under Emery or suffer yet another setback in his career, this latest injury suggests the latter may be the case.
Another high-profile coach saying no to starting the Brazilian will likely see his time in England come to an end and it’s hard to see where he’d go from here.
He has to do more to impress fans and Emery with the abilities he possesses but constant injuries really aren’t helping his case.
The Brazilian has gone missing far too many times for Villa since joining the club and he simply just hasn’t been good enough for the Villans.
Emery offered the 30-year-old another shot at redemption and he still may look to the midfielder once he’s fit again.
But being out at such a crucial time as Emery is figuring out who he wants in his squad could prove to be the final straw for Coutinho.
In other Aston Villa news, former Steven Gerrard assistant Michael Beale has gone on record to rule out a return to Villa Park amid a previous managerial vacancy.