Whelan ‘wowed’ by Coutinho after ‘massive’ Aston Villa update via Sky
Noel Whelan has claimed Philippe Coutinho could take Aston Villa “to the next level”.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 29-year-old will only get better as he gets up to speed once again in the Premier League.
Coutinho made an instant impression on his Aston Villa debut on Saturday (15 January), notching a goal and an assist from the bench as the Villa Park side came back to draw 2-2 against Man United.
Speaking post-match to Sky Sports, the Brazil international insisted he has “missed the Premier League” and said he will “work hard to be in better shape” in the coming weeks.
Whelan insisted Coutinho is a “massive coup” for the Midlands side and backed him to explode once he is up to speed.
“I really think he could take Villa to that next level,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He hasn’t even gotten back into the swing of things in the Premier League just yet – but you never lose that type of quality, wow.
“The more that he trains and plays, the more quality he will show for Aston Villa. He’s a great signing and a massive coup.
“Steven Gerrard knew exactly what he was doing when he brought him in, and he’s hit the ground running straight away. That’ll do his confidence the world of good.
“The players around him have got so much respect and admiration for him, you could see that during the celebrations.”
Lucas Digne also made his Aston Villa debut on Saturday after completing a move from Everton just days earlier.
Coutinho had made just five La Liga starts for Barcelona before sealing a loan move to Villa Park.
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