Aston Villa urged to complete cut-price transfer as Philippe Coutinho agreement could be scrapped

Ex-Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton believes Philippe Coutinho has only shown glimpses of quality upon his return to the Premier League and has predicted the Brazilian to rediscover his best form under Steven Gerrard.

The Brazil international has made five appearances for the club since arriving at Villa Park last month and has so far made four goal contributions in claret and blue.

He and his teammates, however, have failed to impose themselves on relegation-threatened Newcastle United and Watford in recent weeks, as Gerrard's side lost both games 1-0.

Coutinho can join Villa on a permanent basis at the end of the season for £33million, but Spanish outlet Sport claim Barcelona could agree to decrease the price tag and scrap that agreement in order to get the Brazilian off their wage bill.

And Hutton thinks Villa must make Coutinho's stay permanent in the summer, claiming that it's a 'scary' prospect that the 29-year-old isn't even fully up to speed yet, following a lack of football in recent seasons.

“It’d be a great deal,” Hutton told Football Insider.

“But we still have to be patient. We’ve seen glimpses of Coutinho back to his best, but I still think there’s more to come – and Gerrard’s touched on that.

“He’s talked about how he’s a couple of weeks off being fit. The player will know that himself, you know when you’re not 100%.

“We’re seeing top-level performances from him already, so it’s scary to think that Gerrard is saying there’s more to come.

“I’m excited and looking forward to seeing some of that.

“The move suits everyone. Coutinho hasn’t looked happy playing football for years now.

“He’s come into a club where the manager will put his arm around him and get the best out of him. He should be building a