Coutinho in a class of his own as Villa run riot
AS he walked around the pitch following his substitution, Philippe Coutinho was given the kind of reception usually reserved for a club’s greatest players.
The Brazilian, brought to Aston Villa on loan from Barcelona by his former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard, was applauded and serenaded as he returned to the bench and responded by blowing kisses to the fans.
Coutinho has been at Villa for only seven matches, scoring three goals and providing three assists in that time. Most players are not treated like this even after seven seasons.
He turns 30 in June and would represent a significant investment in wages if he joins Villa permanently.
Though his future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Coutinho and Villa had far too much for Southampton here as they delivered their best display since Gerrard replaced Dean Smith as manager last November.
Goals from Ollie Watkins and Douglas Luiz had the home side 2-0 up by half-time and it was 4-0 within 10 minutes of the restart, as Coutinho and Danny Ings, on his first appearance against Saints since leaving for £25million last summer, also found the net.
‘We have Philippe back fit and in a really good place,’ said Gerrard. ‘He was back to his Liverpool form and he was a touch above.
‘When Phil is in the mood, he is a world-class player. The other players have got a lift from him.
‘At times, he showed a level that was above the level of the game, and it was a pleasure to be in the stadium. He was man of the match.
‘I’m trying to build an exciting team to make the fans proud and happy.
‘We could have scored six or seven today but I am a perfectionist and I wanted us to show more personality and character on the ball in the second half.’
Coutinho was a delight with the ball at his feet, while Ings silenced the taunts of his former fans.
As well as scoring the fourth, Ings set up Watkins’ and Coutinho’s goals. It has been a difficult beginning to life for Villa for Ings but this was the day it all clicked.
Ings impressed after only nine minutes. His clever through-ball found Watkins, who beat Jack Stephens before finding the back of the net.
Coutinho latched onto Calum Chambers’ pass and rolling it into the path of Luiz, who supplied a simple finish before the break.
Villa began the second half as they had ended the first — and quickly went 3-0 up. When Luiz’s shot was blocked, John McGinn reached the loose ball first and outmuscled Armando Broja before finding Ings.
His touch presented the ball to Coutinho, who found the net via a deflection off Jan Bednarek.
Ings flicked home the fourth to add gloss to the scoreline.