Whelan points the finger at Philippe Coutinho with Aston Villa man in sack danger
Noel Whelan has suggested Johan Lange is not solely to blame for the lack of transfer success at Aston Villa – with players and managers also sharing responsibility.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, singled out Philippe Coutinho, 30, as a player who must “step up to the plate” for the Midlands giants.
Sources told this site on 19 December that Lange, 43, is fighting for his job as Aston Villa chiefs put his transfer record at the club under intense scrutiny.
Coutinho, Diego Carlos, Lucas Digne, Leander Dendocker, Leon Bailey, Emiliano Buendia, Danny Ings, Bertrand Traore, Morgan Sanson and Matty Cash have been brought in by the Dane for big fees since his arrival in July 2020.
Despite a hefty transfer outlay of £450million over the last four years, Aston Villa have failed to finish in the top half since returning to the Premier League.
They sit in 12th place ahead of their first post-World Cup game against Liverpool on 26 December.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s down to Unai Emery now to get the best out of these players.
“Maybe Steven Gerrard was lacking in that area. He couldn’t get the extra 10 or 20% you need out of these players and make them feel happy and settled.
“But it’s also down to the players too. They’ve got to work hard and have that belief in their own ability.
“Coutinho is the signing with the biggest name of the ones that Lange has brought in. He’s got the most expectation on his shoulders.
“The manager, the players, the fans all look at him as one of the match-winners who should be stepping up to the plate for this Aston Villa side.
“It’s really important that Emery finds a system which suits Coutinho because he could be the difference.”
In other news, Football Insider updates as Man United have “concrete interest” in signing Aston Villa star.