Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Phillipe Coutinho still has a “point to prove” at Aston Villa after he rejected a loan move to Galatasaray.
The former Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 30-year-old may be content to play a bench role at Villa Park after his recent lack of Premier League starts.
According to TEAMtalk (6 February), Coutinho has turned down a loan move to Galatasaray with the Turkish transfer window set to close tomorrow (8 February).
The Brazil international has yet to start a Premier League game under Unai Emery – who took over at Villa Park in November 2022.
Coutinho has, however, come off the bench in every single top-flight game since the mid-season World Cup break – and started in the FA Cup against Stevenage last month.
He is yet to register a goal or assist this season after signing a reported four-year, £125,000-a-week contract (£26million) last summer.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think he’s got a future – for this season at least.
“Most games, he comes off the bench. Buendia is playing very well, so he’ll understand that he’s not going to start in front of him.
“I don’t think he’ll want to go back to Brazil or to Turkey just yet. He’s still got a point to prove in this league.
“Maybe in the summer, he’ll look at it again.
“But it’s not as if he’s not getting minutes. I’m sure Unai Emery will want to keep him as well – because he can’t replace him right now.”
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By: Gabriel Agbonlahor
Title: Agbonlahor verdict on Coutinho quitting this week after £26m Aston Villa development
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/agbonlahor-verdict-on-philippe-coutinho-quitting-this-week-after-26m-aston-villa-development/
Published Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2023 17:30:00 +0000
