Former Aston Villa captain Gabby Agbonlahor believes Barcelona misfit Philippe Coutinho could help turn Steven Gerrard’s side into a top-six Premier League team, speaking to talkSPORT (6 January, 9.20am).
If Coutinho can rediscover the form that made him arguably the league’s finest footballer at Liverpool, then Aston Villa may be a force to be reckoned with between now and May.
That, however, is an ‘if’ the size of the River Rea.
It is four years now since Coutinho was tearing England’s top flight limb from limb.
And, after another season of relative inactivity at a cash-strapped Camp Nou, it remains to be seen whether or not a Michael Keaton-style revival is possible for a 63-time Brazil international who has looked a shadow of his once-brilliant self for some time now.
Gerrard captained Coutinho at Anfield and described the one-time Inter Milan starlet as a ‘magician’, a twinkle-toed footballer capable of pulling a rabbit out of the hat with his wand of a right boot.
How far can Aston Villa go with Philippe Coutinho on board?
“Wow! When the news broke yesterday, Twitter exploded from Villa fans,” Agbonlahor beams when asked about the prospect of a man who became Barcelona’s £146 million record signing back in 2018.
“They’ve got two of three players who are mediocre and Gerrard wants top, top players.
“He won’t want to be finishing 12th or 13th every season. He wants to finish in the top six and players like Coutinho will give them a chance.
“I’m sure Gerrard can get the best out of him so fingers crossed that he comes.”
Coutinho is Barcelona’s highest earner these days. And, given that he appears to have fallen behind teenager Gavi in the Blaugrana pecking order, it seems unlikely that head coach Xavi will stand in his way if Aston Villa firm up their interest (ESPN).
It is well-documented that Barca need to free up funds in their strained wage bill in order to register new £55 million signing Ferran Torres.
Sport claim that talks between the new clubs are now at an ‘advanced stage’.
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