Philippe Coutinho heading to Villa to be Gerrard's magician

“I can only say positive things about Philippe Coutinho, I consider him a friend, I have incredible respect for him. They don’t give you the nickname ‘magician’ unless you’re a special player.” Steven Gerrard laid out the red c carpet for his former team-mate Philippe Coutinho.

The Brazilian playmaker, on loan for the rest of the season at Gerrard’s Aston Villa, flew to Birmingham on Sunday to get to work after his Coronavirus negative test.

He will be looking to join the attack and fill Jack Grealish’s boots, with Emi Buendia not performing up to scratch. Coutinho knows the role waiting for him and that Villa can make his loan permanent if he performs for 40m euros.

Coutinho, at 29, returns to the league where he felt happiest, with the objective of getting back in form ahead of the World Cup with Brazil.