Aston Villa attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho could be excluded from Steven Gerrard’s starting XI for more of their big games, according to journalist Dean Jones. The Brazilian and team-mate Emiliano Buendia had to settle for the bench in Villa’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City over the weekend, and Jones can see the same thing happening again when Gerrard’s men take on similar opposition in the future.
Coutinho has made little impact in the new campaign, failing to score or assist in any of the seven appearances he has made so far.
It explains why he has been snubbed for Villa’s last two Premier League fixtures against Manchester City and Arsenal, forced to accept a role on the bench.
As a whole, though, Villa have not been playing well. In their six games, they have picked up just four points. In general, then, the Midlands club have to improve and not just Coutinho and Buendia.