Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez sends message as Philippe Coutinho releases statement on his future
Emi Martinez has given his backing to former Aston Villa teammate Philippe Coutinho amid his troubles at Vasco da Gama.
Coutinho joined Villa on loan from Barcelona in the 2021-22 season before making the move permanent that summer.
The playmaker only played 43 times at Villa Park, scoring six goals, before signing for Brazilian side Vasco da Gama permanently last year.
Coutinho began his career at the Brazilian Serie A team but things have turned sour, with the 33-year-old keen on a contract termination amid a backdrop of being booed by his own fans, in addition to heavy criticism from the local press.
Despite that, Argentina international goalkeeper Martinez, along with a host of other footballers, has sent a message of support for the former Liverpool star.
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Ex-Aston Villa star Phillipe Coutinho to tear up contract
On Tuesday, reports surfaced that Coutinho wanted to terminate his contract early ahead of his terms expiring in the summer. Then, on Wednesday, the attacking midfielder himself took to social media to update fans on the situation.
In an Instagram post, Coutinho said he was “mentally very exhausted” and that this was a good time to part ways with the club.
He added that he still loves Vasco and he would never do anything do disrespect the fans, his teammates, or the Brazilian outfit.
Among those in the comments section were Villa’s Martinez, who wrote: “You’re on fire.”
Other well-wishers included Bournemouth teenager Rayan, ex-Tottenham star Lucas Moura, and Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, among others.
It remains to be seen where Coutinho will head next after this sudden departure.
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Aston Villa doing better without Coutinho
Coutinho didn’t play a great deal at Villa but his most successful season was his loan spell at the club in 2021-22.
In the second half of that season, he scored five goals and added three assists in 19 appearances.
Back then, Villa were in the bottom half of the Premier League, with Coutinho a key player under manager Steven Gerrard.
His fortunes changed following Gerrard’s sacking and the arrival of Unai Emery in November 2022, however.
Villa were just above the relegation zone when he arrived, but the Spaniard guided them to a seventh-placed finish that season and they haven’t looked back since.
Now, they are competing for the Premier League title, have fared well in the Champions League, and are among the favourites to win this season’s Europa League.
Emery has been a revelation at Villa, and deciding to offload players such as Coutinho has been proven right.
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