Coutinho out of the World Cup
PHILIPPE COUTInHO has been ruled out for up to 10 weeks and will miss the World Cup. The Brazil international suffered a thigh injury in Aston Villa training, with a seven-week return his best case scenario.
The Brazil playmaker was already facing an uphill struggle to make Brazil’s squad for Qatar due to a loss of form and lack of regular action, and this injury setback has ended his chances. Coutinho did not feature for Villa in yesterday’s 3-1 win over Manchester United and new manager Unai Emery had intially said that the midfielder would not be available for Thursday’s Carabao Cup tie against United at Old Trafford, or the Premier League fixture at Brighton next weekend. Coutinho joined Villa on loan from Barcelona in January to great fanfare and even though his performances were mixed, Villa decided to buy him for £17million.
The move was pushed by Steven Gerrard, who was sacked last month, and has yet to produce the results hoped for. This injury casts new doubt over his long-term role at the club.