Aston Villa: Gerrard will drop £125k-a-week star 'more often' at Villa Park

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.

Jones thinks £17m Coutinho and £33m Buendia missing out on games against the likes of City and Arsenal is something the Villa Park faithful may have to get used to.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the journalist said: “I think it’s something we’ll see more often in the type of games where they’re up against a team they are not expected to beat.

“Clearly, Gerrard has thought out a new game plan. Neither of those two are especially in form, so it was an easy time to make that decision.”

When going up against a City or an Arsenal, it certainly makes sense to leave an attacker like Coutinho or Buendia out of the side. In such games, it can be worth sacrificing a bit of flair in order to add some more defensive stability to the team.

With that being said, especially at home and if Villa are planning to win the game, it still may be better to have