Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard says Philippe Coutinho was «desperate» to come back to England when he spoke to the Brazilian in January about a move. Those conversations culminated in the 29-year-old joining the Villans on loan until the end of the season and his impact has been instant, recording two goals and two assists in just three games — the same number he managed in the whole of last season in La Liga. Ad/> And Gerrard has clearly been a factor in Coutinho's resurgence, particularly in terms of his fitness and psychological state.