By Dr Rajpal Brar

21st Mar, 2023 | 5:10pm

Aston Villa ace Philippe Coutinho likely to be out with grade 2 tear, chances of recurring injury high - Injury Expert

We’re delighted to welcome injury expert Dr Rajpal Brar as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the injury situation at Aston Villa...

Dr Rajpal Brar claims Aston Villa attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho may have a grade 2 tear in his hamstring which is keeping him out of action.

The injury expert believes there’s a high risk of these injuries recurring again, so it remains to be seen how well he copes once fit.

The duration for such an injury is believed to be three to six weeks and with the Brazil international missing from action since the 4-2 defeat against Arsenal in February.

He is expected to be back in action after the international break and the 30-year-old has not been called up to the national team so can continue his recovery.

Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Brar, a doctor in physical therapy and sports scientist, said, “It’s been reported as a muscular injury and based on the timeline of him being back in April, it sounds like a grade 2 tear.

“Those are typically three to six weeks so the timeline [of his return after the break] does fit.

“Re-injury risk is always a major concern with hamstring injuries and especially if it’s a hamstring region he’s already injured before.“

Coutinho has struggled to make a mark at the club this season and he’s made just seven league starts and nearly twice the number of appearances off the bench.

His output has also been fairly unconvincing, bagging just a solitary goal and no assist.

The Brazilian has three more years to go on his current deal with his contract expiring in the summer of 2026.

In other Aston Villa news, an academy talent is ready for an Unai Emery baptism after what he has done in the Championship.