Ex-Aston Villa striker tips Coutinho to ‘blow everyone away’ after what he has just seen
Philippe Coutinho will “blow people away” once he gets up to full fitness at Aston Villa.
That’s according to former Aston Villa hitman Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Brazilian’s debut.
Coutinho grabbed a goal and an assist after replacing Morgan Sanson in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United.
The ex-Liverpool star joined the Claret and Blue on a season-long loan deal from Barcelona on 11 January.
McAvennie insists Coutinho will only get better as he regains his full fitness.
“You can tell Coutinho isn’t at his sharpest,” McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“I don’t mean that in a bad way. It just makes me think how good he will be when he gets properly sorted out.
“What an amazing impact that is and we know you don’t lose the kind of ability he has.
“You could be 40 and you will still have a great touch and an eye for a pass if you had it when you were 25.
“Give Coutinho a few weeks of proper training and more game time, he will be blowing people away like the old days at Liverpool.
“He’s already proved himself as a good signing for Aston Villa, hasn’t he? I can’t wait to see what he does next.”
Aston Villa are next in action against Everton on Saturday (22 January).
Villa sit four points and three places above Everton, who sacked Rafael Benitez on Sunday (16 January).
In other news, a pundit reveals how his pal Gerrard will deal with Aston Villa miscreant Sanson.