Aston Villa: Reporter reacts to Philippe Coutinho injury

Reporter Pete O’Rourke has described an injury to Aston Villa player Philippe Coutinho as ‘a blow for Unai Emery’.
The Lowdown: Muscle issue
The Brazilian has struggled under both Steven Gerrard and Emery this season, starting just seven Premier League fixtures. Coutinho got the nod against Arsenal last month however and ended his long wait for a goal or an assist by netting Villa’s second in the first half.
He was then missing for the win over Everton last time out, with Emery revealing the 30-year-old has a muscular injury and will be sidelined for a month.
The Latest: O’Rourke reacts
O’Rourke was talking to GiveMeSport where he gave his thoughts on the injury to Coutinho. He described it as a ‘blow’ for Emery and Coutinho, believing he was starting to improve with his display against Arsenal.
“It’s a blow for Unai Emery and Philippe Coutinho. He’s had a really difficult season at Villa Park this year, and it just looked like maybe he was starting to show some form with that performance and goal against Arsenal.
“Now to pick up this injury is a real frustration for him, and I’m sure it’ll be a frustration for Unai Emery as well.”
The Verdict: Not ideal
As O’Rourke says, frustration will be the word to describe the news on Coutinho, who missed games earlier in the season with a hamstring problem.
Hailed as ‘quality’ by Gerrard, Coutinho showed last season he still has what it takes to star in England, contributing to eight goals in 19 games. That resulted in a move from Barcelona becoming permanent, but it just hasn’t clicked during the current campaign.
His long-term future in the Midlands could be in doubt as a result, with Christian Purslow expecting an extremely busy transfer window at Villa Park this summer when it comes to incomings and outgoing.
Coutinho has been Villa’s 17th-best player this season, as per WhoScored, averaging less than one key pass and dribble per match, so Villa and Emery may feel they aren’t getting their money’s worth, with Coutinho the third-highest earner at Villa Park.
