McAvennie Tips This Talented Playmaker To Stay At Aston Villa: Should Gerrard Sign Him Permanently?

In a recent interview with Football Insider, Frank McAvennie tipped Philippe Coutinho to stay at Aston Villa beyond this summer following a successful loan spell from Barcelona so far. McAvennie said,

“I don’t see that being a problem.

“He’s (Coutinho) made his money over in Barcelona. I think he will want to stay at Villa.

“He has been so, so good for them and I’m sure they will want to do everything to keep him.

“Coutinho must know Villa can’t pay him what he’s earning at the moment.

“He will still earn a very good wage, let’s be real, there’s no way Villa can pay that even though they aren’t exactly short of cash.

“As I say, I see no problems here and this is the kind of signing you want to see from Villa.

“He’s been brilliant for them so I’m sure he will want to stay and continue that.”

Coutinho’s Decent Loan Spell Back In English Football 

Coutinho is having a decent loan spell at Villa Park after producing a run of impressive displays as a key member of Steven Gerrard’s starting XI. The 29-year-old deserves a lot of credit for netting four goals and providing three assists in nine appearances for the Villans this season on all fronts.

The Rio de Janeiro-born talent has been a consistent performer in the final third as he is averaging 2.7 shots, 1.6 key passes and 1.8 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Premier League. He has even been accurate with his ball distribution based on his pass success rate of 82.6% in league football (stats via whoscored).

Should Aston Villa Boss Steven Gerrard Sign Coutinho Permanently This Summer?

Coutinho remains one of the best playmakers in European football as he has got the vision to cut open the opposition defence with a killer pass in the attacking third of the pitch. The Brazilian sensation can even strike the ball with power and precision which makes him such a potent goal-threat from long range. He can even complete some dangerous dribbles with the ball out on the wide areas.

At 29, Coutinho has still got a few good years left in him to play at a high level which makes him an ideal option for Aston Villa to consider at the end of this campaign. Thus, it makes sense for the Villans boss Steven Gerrard to try and sign the Brazilian permanently in the summer.

We can expect Coutinho to be a success story at Villa Park as long as he is willing to pen a less lucrative contract to stay and play regularly in English football.