‘You have to’: Paul Merson sends clear Coutinho message to Aston Villa

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Paul Merson has urged Aston Villa to ‘keep’ Philippe Coutinho for next season, as he told Sky Sports News (12/03/22 at 2pm).

The former Villa Park favourite added that Coutinho is a ’superstar’ who is loving life at his new club.

Coutinho is on-loan at Villa from Barcelona and has started life in the Midlands in a fantastic fashion.

Working under his old Liverpool teammate, Steven Gerrard, the 29-year-old has four goals and three assists to his name from nine matches.

That’s some going for a player that was seriously struggling at the Nou Camp.

Given the impact Coutinho has had at Villa, Merson was pretty clear in what the Midlands side should do with his future.

“Rightly so (loving life at Villa),” said Merson. “He’s had a bit of a bad time since he has left Liverpool.

“He is absolutely loving it. Playing free-flowing football. He’s a proper player and has great vision. I think he’s a special player. Villa have to try and sign him at the end of the season. I think he’s going to be a massive hit. He’s top draw

“If he keeps doing what he is doing, then he will be in the Brazil squad because if he doesn’t get into the Brazil squad there is pointless anybody else going because they must be the best team in the world.

“If his contract isn’t up then they (Barcelona) will do a deal and they will make sure he gets subsidised for some of his wages. He’ll get looked after. They’ll be desperate to get rid. Pay £200-300k of his wages. Then Villa can afford £200k, especially for a player like that. You have to keep him. He is a superstar.”

It’s obvious that Gerrard was a huge factor in Coutinho first joining Villa.

Therefore, fans will be confident that he will return in the summer and help them in their European push.

One thing is for sure, Coutinho is playing with a smile on his face and that was missing in Spain.

Whether it’s a permanent transfer or another loan deal, if Villa manage to bring him back next season, then it would seriously boost their chances of securing European football.