(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media, Getty)

Edward Bazeley

Fri 4 July 2025 16:00, UK

Aston Villa supporters have reacted to a significant announcement regarding the future of attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho.

The former Liverpool man joined the West Midlands side initially on loan in January 2022, before agreeing permanent terms the following summer.

Coutinho joined Villa when they were under the stewardship of his ex-Reds teammate Steven Gerrard, and notched five goals and three assists in 19 Premier League appearances during the 2021/22 season.

The attacking midfielder established himself as one of the best players in the top-flight while plying his trade for the Anfield giants.

However, the Brazil international’s form took a significant turn for the worse as he scored just one goal in 2022/23.

Meanwhile, Gerrard was sacked by Aston Villa in October 2022, before current boss Unai Emery took charge and elevated the West Midlands club to a new level.

Aston Villa fans react as Coutinho leaves permanently

Coutinho’s last appearances for Emery’s men came in the 2023/24 season, in which he made just two Premier League outings.

The 33-year-old subsequently spent the rest of that campaign on loan with Qatari side Al Duhail, where he scored seven goals in 22 appearances.

But the former Liverpool ace’s exploits in the Middle East did not convince Emery to hand him a Villa reprieve, as he was offloaded on loan once more last summer, joining Brazilian club Vasco da Gama.

Coutinho is currently on decent form in Brazil, and has notched five goals and three assists for Vasco Da Gama this season.

Meanwhile, Emery’s side announced that he had joined the Brazilian Serie A club permanently on Friday, 4 July.

Elsewhere, Ollie Watkins has been tipped for an Aston Villa exit in a Villa News exclusive.