Philippe Coutinho exit talks held every day with Aston Villa exit increasingly on the cards
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Alan Hutton believes Philippe Coutinho will be on the chopping block at Aston Villa this summer after the Brazilian struggled last season.
Coutinho, 31, had issues with injuries and poor form after turning his loan move from Barcelona into a permanent one before Steven Gerrard, who signed the playmaker, was sacked and replaced by Unai Emery.
The ex-Liverpool star ended the season firmly out of the picture and Hutton predicts that behind-the-scenes talks are being held every day about a move away from B6.
“I think Emery will be assessing everybody,” Hutton told Villa News.
“We all know Coutinho is on a massive contract and he’s not quite hit the heights since Steven Gerrard brought him in.
“He’s had injury problems and I think it was always going to be difficult for him to get to the level he was at when he was at Liverpool.
“It’s not worked out but he is a player who’s capable of moments of brilliance. But is he going to play regular football every week so we can see that? I don’t think so.
“I do think there’ll be movement – he’ll be in the conversations for him to leave the building.
“They would then reinvest that money into the playing squad.
“Yes, it has been quiet but there’s still a long way to go in this transfer window.
“There’ll be ins and outs at Villa Park. Between him, the club and his agents, there’ll be talks going on every day.
“I’ve been involved in things like that and when you’re trying to get out or trying to move away, you’re in contact with your agent every day.
“I’m pretty sure that’ll be happening.”
Coutinho played 20 times in the Premier League for Villa last season, scoring one goal and supplying three assists.
However, he only started seven times with six of them coming before Emery replaced Gerrard as the manager.
In other Aston Villa news, the club’s received a kick in the teeth over this £8.5million transfer reveal.