Gerrard Wants Coutinho To Remain At Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard wants to sign on-loan midfielder Phillipe Coutinho on a permanent deal.

Coutinho linked up with Aston Villa from Barcelona on loan in January.

The Brazil midfielder has scored three goals and provided three assists since his arrival at the club.

“Phil was successful at Barcelona but he had difficult periods as well,” said Gerrard.

“He got to the stage where he needed a change of scenery and a different movie.

“We want to be that movie for him because if we want to get to where we want to be, we need to build it around talents like Phil, because at his best he is a high-level player.

“All good teams have game-changers who the opposition are really concerned about before a ball is kicked. Phil has that status and he is giving belief to his team-mates.

“Our strikers Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings want him alongside them because he delivers on the big stage. I don’t control transfer fees or wages. All I can do is give my opinion to (sporting director) Johan Lange, (chief executive) Christian Purslow and the owners. They are watching the games and they will make the final decision. Phil has shown what he is capable of so far.”