Pundit issues 'spectacular' Philippe Coutinho verdict after more Aston Villa brilliance

Philippe Coutinho continued his mesmeric form as Aston Villa cantered to a 3-0 win at Leeds United.

The Brazilian loanee was among the scorers, along with Matty Cash and Calum Chambers, as Steven Gerrard’s side made three wins in a row in the Premier League.

Gerrard, fans and pundits were again left purring over Coutinho’s display as calls for Villa to sign him up permanently in the summer intensify.

That included former Villa defender Alan Hutton, who says the 29-year-old has a galvanising effect on the players around him.

“Some of the things he does are spectacular, but he thinks it’s completely normal!,” he told Football Insider.

“A lot of the players are one or two steps behind him. He’s playing balls and the boys aren’t running onto it, because they don’t think that type of pass is possible.

“They’re just in awe of him. He’s played at the highest level, and I think everyone is just wanting to be a sponge and really learn from him.

“When he’s on the pitch, he makes people even better. There’s no doubt about it.”