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Steven Gerrard claims it was “easy” to bring Philippe Coutinho to Aston Villa and get him to rediscover his form.

Villa stunned fans in January by raiding Barcelona to bring Brazilian star Coutinho back to the Premier League on loan. But Villa boss Gerrard insists actually persuading his former Liverpool team-mate to link up with him again was straightforward.

He reckons the star, who has four goals and three assists in 10 games already, was always likely to make a big impact on the pitch. But Gerrard has thanked Villa’s hierarchy for pulling out the stops financially to bring in Coutinho, who cost £142million from Liverpool four years ago.

And Gerrard’s candid remarks must be seen as a boost to his and Villa’s hopes of keeping the 29-year-old this summer, when the club have a £33m option to sign him permanently. Gerrard, 41, said: “Phil wouldn’t have come here if he didn’t believe in the club, if he didn’t believe in the people.

“He has experienced playing here as a player for many years with Liverpool. I think the compliment should go to the club. First and foremost the ambition from above to make it happen to get a player