GERRARD IS STILL KEEN ON TYING DOWN COUTINHO
STEVEN GERRARD last night insisted demoting Philippe Coutinho to the substitutes’ bench at Burnley was not a sign the club were cooling on their ambition to sign the Brazilian loanee on a permanent basis.
Coutinho was left out of Gerrard’s starting line-up for the first time since he made his Villa debut in January and replacement Emiliano Buendia was the star of the show in the visitors’ 3-1 win, courtesy of goals from Danny Ings, Buendia and Ollie Watkins, with
Coutinho only on for the final 12 minutes.
However Gerrard addressed Villa’s wish to negotiate with Barcelona on a permanent deal for the £30million-rated star.
‘We want Philippe here for sure,’ said Gerrard. ‘We have five games in 15 days, so Phil and Emi will both get enough game time to keep themselves satisfied. We want to be in a place where games come thick and fast.
‘Phil understood the decision. There are no egos here.’
Burnley will be hoping central defender James Tarkowski has not played his last game for the club after he limped out at the start of the second half with a tight hamstring.
Already without club captain Ben Mee, losing Tarkowski for the rest of the campaign would be a blow in their relegation fight and the player is out of contract in the summer.
Elsewhere, Watford were officially relegated after a 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace. Wilfried Zaha was yet again the difference for the Eagles, stroking the ball past Ben Foster.
In the day’s other match, Brentford moved 11 points clear of the relegation zone after a resounding 3-0 win over Southampton.
Pontus Jansson opened the scoring after 11 minutes before Yoane Wissa curled into the bottom corner a minute later.
Kris Ajer netted late on to leave Saints just seven points clear of trouble.