With speculation linking him with a departure this summer, doubts remain over Philippe Coutinho’s future at Aston Villa ahead of the new season.
The 31-year-old endured an injury-hit season last year, which limited him to just 20 Premier League appearances in which he was only able to contribute one goal and no assists.
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Following Unai Emery’s appointment last November, Coutinho missed 16 of a possible 25 league games due to injury under the Spaniard, and so it was very much a bit-part role for the Brazilian playmaker in the second half of the campaign as he struggled to stay fit and showcase his ability.
“I talked with him [Coutinho] this week,” Emery told VillaTV in May. “He’s a little bit unlucky with his month because I didn’t see him play matches like I want. But, of course, with the injuries coming, we have to be patient as well, now we are going to wait for his recovery.”
That though perhaps was a telling remark from the Villa boss. He simply didn’t get the opportunity to watch and assess Coutinho at the back end of last season, which was the ultimate opportunity for the Brazilian international to make his mark and prove that he can still offer something in his team.
Coutinho is contracted to Villa through to June 2026 and so there is no immediate decision necessary on his future, but this comes down to whether or not he still fits into our plans moving forward, or if Emery is open to allowing him to leave in order to strengthen the group with his preferred option in the transfer market.
As per CBS Sports last week, Coutinho has been paired with a reunion with our former boss Steven Gerrard at Al Ettifaq, and so Villa must decide in the coming days and weeks as to whether he remains part of the squad or if we’re willing to green light an exit and move him on after a disappointing campaign, especially if a big-money offer is made.
His most recent social media posts have shown that Coutinho is taking his injury recovery and fitness very seriously this summer, but his absence at Bodymoor Heath to start this week with many of the players returning for pre-season has been noted, and has sparked further discussion over his future.
Given the level of improvement that Emery inspired and oversaw from countless individuals last season, there is still a hope and desire to see him have that same impact on Coutinho and make him a useful asset to have as we try to compete on multiple fronts next season.
If the Villa boss is still confident that he can do that, we need to see Coutinho back for pre-season sooner rather than later so he can showcase that on the pitch and importantly, prove his reliability and consistency in terms of his fitness.
Time will tell if he gets an opportunity to impress and perhaps make his last stance to secure a future at Villa. With a possible big-money offer incoming and given his limited influence last year with his injury problems though, could it be time to cash in on Coutinho this summer or should Villa give him another year to try to rediscover the form he showed when he initially joined us on loan?
