Philippe Coutinho has opened up on his admiration of ‘excellent’ Aston Villa team-mate Douglas Luiz while explaining the role Steven Gerrard played in his return to the Premier League, speaking to Globo Esporte.
Coutinho’s Villa career thus far has been a story of fits and bursts, highs and lows, peaks and troughs.
In ten league matches, he’s scored or assisted seven goals. Coutinho was unplayable against Leeds United and Southampton. He was anything but, however, against Everton and Arsenal.
Then again, such inconsistency is perhaps to be expected. Especially when you consider that the twinkle-toed playmaker returned to England on the back of a miserable spell at Barcelona, severely lacking in march sharpness and self-belief.
The presence of fellow Brazil international Douglas Luiz at Villa Park has certainly made adapting to life in claret-and-blue easier than it might have been, however, with Coutinho full of praise for a man who remains a popular member of the Villa squad on and off the pitch.
“Douglas is a great player and an excellent person,” says Coutinho.
“We had contact before I came to Aston Villa, in the Brazilian national team. But now that we play together, we are very close, which helps my integration on the field.”
Will Philippe Coutinho stay at Aston Villa?
With all due respect to one of England’s most historic footballing institutions, it is hard to imagine that Coutinho would have arrived at Villa Park under Dean Smith.
Gerrard, the Brazilian’s former Liverpool skipper, played a major role in a deal that saw Coutinho sign on loan with a £33 million option-to-buy clause in his contract.
“We (Gerrard and I) had a conversation that made me feel very comfortable and motivated,” the 29-year-old adds.
“He talked about the Villa project, the goals, what he expected from me and it was something I was looking for too. I believe we made a good decision. Things are going well.
“I have a beautiful story at Liverpool. I was happy there. Now, I’m starting to write a story at Aston Villa. I’m happy that, once again, I’m able to play well in England, as I’ve played in Italy, Spain and Germany.
“I believe I have been adapting well to this return to English football. It’s a championship I know and I feel good playing. In addition, I was very well received by everyone and this has helped me a lot.”
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