Philippe Coutinho gave Aston Villa the worst Valentine's Day ever with Liverpool

Philippe Coutinho has made a superb start to his Aston Villa career, with two goals and as many assists in his first four league games upon his return to English football.

There was a time, of course, when the diminutive Brazilian was Liverpool's torturer-in-chief, running rings around Premier League defences as one of the Reds' main sources of creativity.

One of Coutinho's many victims during that time was the very club he represents today – especially in one 2016 meeting when he tore the Midlands side apart.

Liverpool were the heavy favourites in that game six years ago today against a Villa side which was in crisis – a far cry from the solid Premier League side they have become once again today.

Even so, the fact the Reds became the first time to put six past them at Villa Park in more than 30 years shows just how brilliant they were.

And they were helped by excellent performances from two key players returning from injury. Daniel Sturridge, who scored twice in the game, and the irresistible Coutinho.

It was the first time that they and Roberto Firmino, in his first season with the club, had all started in the same side after injuries got in the way.

Together they were a formidable attack, with Sturridge scoring twice and the two Brazilians at their creative best.

Coutinho had a hand in the opening goal after a quarter of an hour, swinging in an inch-perfect cross which begged the clinical Sturridge to nod beyond Mark Bunn in the Villa goal, and the Englishman duly obliged.

Less than 10 minutes later it was 2-0 thanks to James Milner's free-kick – won by Coutinho – evaded everyone and nestled into the far corner.

After Emre Can had extended the lead in the second half, it was the former Inter Milan man who was at the