Aston Villa expert issues ‘absolutely massive’ Philippe Coutinho claim after source’s reveal
Alan Hutton has claimed Philippe Coutinho has struggled to live up to the “massive” expectations put on him when he arrived at Aston Villa.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Villa defender insisted Unai Emery will want to see what Coutinho has to offer his side before deciding on his future.
On Saturday (24 December), sources told this site that the Villans are willing to sell the 30-year-old in January, just a year after his arrival.
The playmaker has slipped down the pecking order this season despite his £17million permanent move in the summer after a successful loan spell at the Birmingham club.
The Brazilian is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury but could struggle for game time when he returns.
When asked if Villa would be willing to offload Coutinho as early as January.
“I think the manager will want a good look at him on the pitch,” he told Football Insider.
“Through injuries he has not really had that opportunity. I think the expectation of Coutinho coming to the club was absolutely massive. It has been very difficult to live up to that.
“They thought he was just going to hit the ground running and it did not work. We have seen it in flashes. They have obviously invested a lot of money into him and they will want to see the rewards off him on the pitch.
“He has still got time but we will have to wait and see what the manager thinks of him from now until the end of the season. I do not see them shifting him out in January.“
In other news, Agbonlahor has suggested Aston Villa to accept ‘very, very big’ Emiliano Martinez bid amid ‘release clause’ claim.