---
title: "Aston Villa: Reporter reacts to Philippe Coutinho injury"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-philippe-coutinho-injury-blow/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2023-03-04T08:41:08Z"
modified: "2023-03-04T08:41:08Z"
---

# Aston Villa: Reporter reacts to Philippe Coutinho injury

**Reporter [Pete O’Rourke](https://twitter.com/SportsPeteO?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor) has described an injury to [Aston Villa](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-news/) player [Philippe Coutinho](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/philippe-coutinho/) as ‘a blow for [Unai Emery](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/unai-emery/)’.**

### The Lowdown: Muscle issue

The Brazilian has struggled under both Steven Gerrard and Emery this season, starting just [seven](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/philippe-coutinho/leistungsdaten/spieler/80444) [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) 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](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-coutinho-injury-everton-26332436) 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](https://www.givemesport.com/philippe-coutinho/injury-news-aston-villa-premier-league-unai-emery/) 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.”*

[Aston Villa latest news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/aston-villa-latest-news-6/)

### 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](https://www.football365.com/news/gerrard-praises-quality-footballer-coutinho-after-impressive-start)’ 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](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-sawiris-martinez-transfers-26305695) 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](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/24/Show/England-Aston-Villa), 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](https://www.spotrac.com/epl/aston-villa-fc/payroll/)earner at Villa Park.