Philippe Coutinho, Aston Villa, Villans, Villa Park, Premier League
Aston Villa playmaker Philippe Coutinho won’t play for the club again until after the World Cup because of injury and could even miss the tournament, according to Ashley Preece.
The Lowdown: Coutinho missed United win
The Villans made a flying start to life under Unai Emery on Sunday, earning a superb 3-1 victory at home to Manchester United in the Premier League.
Coutinho played no part in proceedings, though, with a thigh injury keeping him out of the game at Villa Park.
With the World Cup just around the corner and Villa having just two matches remaining before the finals in Qatar (Carabao Cup v Man United and Premier League v Brighton), a concerning update has emerged regarding the Brazilian.
The Latest: Coutinho injury blow
Taking to Twitter, Preece relayed an update from Emery (via Birmingham Live) that Coutinho won’t feature again for Villa before the break, with his World Cup hopes also in jeopardy.
The journalist tweeted:
“Philippe Coutinho will now miss Villa’s final two games before the World Cup and, obviously, remains a massive doubt to make it to Qatar with Brazil.”
The Verdict: Not working out for Coutinho
Coutinho made such a promising start to life in a Villa shirt but things have gone wrong this season, with his form dipping hugely and injury now hampering him.
He hasn’t registered a single goal or assist in 2022/23 to date, a far cry from when he hit four goals and three assists in his first eight games at the club at the start of this year.
Should Villa move for Conor Gallagher?
Yes
No
In truth, the Villans looked better without him in the team on Sunday, and there could be lingering doubts over whether or not he will be retained by Emery in the long-term.
Indeed, Coutinho could struggle to make Brazil’s World Cup squad even if he is fit, such is the manner of his decline as the months have passed since his arrival in the Midlands last January.
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