Gerrard hails 'invaluable' Coutinho

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard labeled Philippe Coutinho "invaluable "after the Brazilian star completed a medical ahead of a loan move from Barcelona.

Villa confirmed that Coutinho passed his medical and that he was in France while he waited to obtain a work permit.

The 29-year-old was expected to join his new teammates at Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground on Wednesday.

Gerrard played with Coutinho at Liverpool and believes the playmaker will have a big impact on his return to the Premier League.

"His presence will be invaluable, given injuries and the AFCON tournament have reduced our attacking options," Gerrard told Villa's website on Monday. "He is a player I enjoyed playing with previously and I know the rest of the squad here at Aston Villa will benefit from his quality and experience."

Villa has signed Coutinho on loan for the rest of the season and has the option to buy him in the summer.

Barcelona confirmed Villa will pay part of Coutinho's wages as he returns to the Premier League four years after leaving Liverpool.

Coutinho joined Barcelona in 2018 in a deal worth 146 million pounds ($198 million), but he has struggled at Camp Nou and spent 2019-20 on loan at Bayern Munich.

He becomes Gerrard's first signing at Villa since the Anfield legend arrived from Scottish side Rangers in November to replace Dean Smith.

AFP