Aston Villa news: Coutinho could be forcing £30m teammate out after ‘big’ reveal – Agbonlahor
Emiliano Buendia has a “big” challenge on his hands if he wants to get back in the Aston Villa starting XI, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Aston Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer claimed Philippe Coutinho’s explosive start to life at Villa Park will make it difficult for Buendia.
Coutinho scored and provided an assist in Villa’s 4-0 thrashing of Southampton at the weekend (5 March).
As quoted by the Daily Mail on Sunday (6 March), Steven Gerrard claimed the Brazilian is back to the form of his peak Liverpool days.
“The thing with Coutinho is, he’s a world-class player, playing in a top team with a top manager,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider‘s Connor Whitley.
“I said this Aston Villa team for the last six weeks that someone was going to get a good hiding and Southampton received it. It was a matter of time.
“Danny Ings and Watkins are playing well together as well. Coutinho, with every little touch, was like the Coutinho of old.
“Coutinho is getting the numbers and that is the big thing I’ve always said about other players. He’s getting the assists and getting the goals.
“Other players don’t get the assists and the goals and are not getting in the team. It’s going to take a lot to get into this Aston Villa team now.
“It’s better with Coutinho in there on his own. Buendia is a good player but with two of them in there, I think it’s too many number 10s. I like Coutinho being able to roam.
“You can see Watkins and Ings have got a good partnership. The way they celebrate each other’s goals, you can tell there is no rivalry.
“When Buendia comes in for £30million and doesn’t get the assists and goals, it’s not enough.
“Coutinho has come in and it’s three goals and three assists in seven games. They are the numbers Gerrard wants.
“Buendia will get his chance again when someone is out of form or injured but he’ll need to get the goals and assists not just nice touches and turns.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has saluted Aston Villa after a ‘fantastic’ £56million document reveal.