Agbonlahor issues emphatic Coutinho claim as new £43m+ Aston Villa details emerge
Phillipe Coutinho needs to hit the ground running next season to justify the money Aston Villa have paid for him, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Aston Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer insisted he would have no problem with the outlay if Coutinho produces on the pitch.
The Athletic reported on Monday (16 May) that Villa paid just over £17million for the 29-year-old who has signed a four-year deal worth £125,000-a-week.
That means the Midlands giants will have spent over £43million on the attacker when his contract expires in the summer of 2026.
“He’s signed now so he’s got to start next season like a house on fire,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“He’s got to prove why Villa have given him a contract and paid that fee for him. He’s going to be the main man in that midfield.
“Over 38 games he needs double figures in goals and assists for the quality of player he is.
“He will have taken a wage cut definitely but there are ways of making a transfer work. Signing on fees can be a bit extra to help.
“If he is getting £150,000-a-week to £300,000-a-week, including bonuses, then I don’t mind it as long as he puts in the performances next season and gets the goals and assists needed to get Villa into the top six.
“They will need him because it’s going to be as hard as ever to get into the top six next season.
“Newcastle are going to spend, Wolves are going to be up there, Leicester are going to get better, Everton will invest if they stay up, Man United are going to get better and Arsenal and Spurs will get better.
“There are teams there that Aston Villa are fighting with so for the package Villa have given Coutinho he has to be putting in top performances next season.”
In other news, this is what Aston Villa stars really say about Coutinho behind the scenes.