Steven Gerrard proven right over Philippe Coutinho problem he warned Aston Villa about

Steven Gerrard admits Philippe Coutinho must feel 'loved' when he is playing his football and the Aston Villa head coach thinks that is one of the key reasons why he has settled well at B6.

The Brazilian has claimed that he is enjoying his football again at Villa, working under his former Liverpool teammate Gerrard and in a team which plays to his strengths. All of that is conducive to helping Coutinho regain his confidence and form, according his boss.

Coutinho signed on loan at Villa back in January from Barcelona just four years after joining the Catalan giants for a Premier League record £142million fee. Though, he struggled to justify his massive price tag and Gerrard claims the problems he faced at Barcelona will be removed at Villa Park.

Following Coutinho's emphatic debut against Manchester United in January - when he came off the bench to score the equaliser in a 2-2 draw - Gerrard insisted the playmaker needed an arm around the shoulder. He said: "The key thing for Phil is he needs to be in a place where he feels loved and supported, he needs to be smiling and enjoying his football.

"I think anyone that goes to work and they're not enjoying themselves or in a positive place, it's difficult to be at your best. He's 29 years of age, he's won all kinds of different things and he's still got that hunger to play and contribute. Once we get him fitter and stronger, I've got no doubt he can create and score goals for this team."

Gerrard added earlier this month: "I can see he is happy and settled and enjoying his football. That was the main aim because I knew if we could get him in that place we would see great things. I think he has been very consistent.

“He has come and wasn’t at his best physically in terms of