Gabriel Agbonlahor says Coutinho ‘will want to stay’ at Villa next season

Philippe Coutinho has enjoyed a bright start to life at Aston Villa and has the option to turn his loan move permanent at the end of the season – the 29-year-old can join the Midlands outfit for £33.7m this summer.

Coutinho has made an instant impact since leaving Barcelona, scoring two goals and making two assists in four Premier League appearances. Gabriel Agbonlahor has been impressed with his early form and believes he’ll sign permanently for Villa after turning his career around.

He told Football Insider: “Yes (he will sign permanently), 100 per cent. If you look at Coutinho now with the performances that he’s putting in, he’s enjoying his football again. That’s what you want as a player. You’d rather go somewhere where you are enjoying your football.”

Coutinho left Barcelona after falling down the pecking order under Xavi. The Brazilian international struggled for form, fitness and playing time at the Camp Nou, making 14/54 appearances in 2020/21 and 16/26 appearances this season (608/2340 minutes of football), so he sought a move to a team willing to give him more opportunities.

Agbonlahor added: “He will look at Villa and know Steven Gerrard will make changes in the summer as well. I think Coutinho will definitely want to sign and continue to play in such a great team. He will love that feeling from the Aston Villa fans and will want to stay to be the main man in the team.”

Coutinho represented Brazil for the first time since 2020 in January (against Ecuador) and scored an outstanding goal in February’s 4-0 win over Paraguay. The 29-year-old’s career has turned around since the Villa move, so there’s a chance he could stay beyond the summer.

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