---
title: "Fans on social media react as Aston Villa close in on Philippe Coutinho"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2022/01/06/fans-on-social-media-react-as-aston-villa-close-in-on-philippe-coutinho/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2022-01-06T16:33:52Z"
modified: "2022-01-06T16:33:53Z"
---

# Fans on social media react as Aston Villa close in on Philippe Coutinho

Aston Villa [signed](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/alletransfers/verein/405) Leon Bailey from Bayern Leverkusen and Emiliano Buendia from Norwich City to [accompany](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/ausfallzeiten/verein/405) Anwar El Ghazi, Trezeguet and Bertrand Traore, but Steven Gerrard appears to be in the market for another forward.

The [Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jan/05/aston-villa-philippe-coutinho-barcelona-loan) say Villa are interested in Philippe Coutinho and have contacted the 29-year-old’s agent to discuss a move in January. Fans on [social media](https://twitter.com/search?q=coutinho%20%23avfc&src=typed_query&f=live) are excited by the rumours and would love to see him in the Midlands.

> [#AVFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) \
> Coutinho looks certain,his quality will hopefully be shown and maybe get us into the top 8.European football would be a dream.\
> Hickey looks 50/50 he is a top talent and he would be a good player to start if targets in this form.\
> Zakaria, not sure if he’d come but imagine😍
>
> — Shea (@Sheaflatley09) [January 6, 2022](https://twitter.com/Sheaflatley09/status/1479084632150847495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> To be honest I can’t wait until the Coutinho deal is over the line and most importantly I cannot wait until he is a success at villa and we make it in Europe and become a driving force again utv [#avfc](https://twitter.com/hashtag/avfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — AVFCnews (@AVFC\_NewsBA) [January 6, 2022](https://twitter.com/AVFC_NewsBA/status/1479085151246290954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Wait. This Coutinho rumour couldn't actually be true, could it? [#AVFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)\
> \
> Do I dare to be optimistic?
>
> — The Dandy Lion 💜💙 (@IndieGit) [January 6, 2022](https://twitter.com/IndieGit/status/1479088455799951361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/TheRealPaulE/status/1479089121863901190?s=20

> Be amazed if we get Coutinho but some reports are suggesting it is happening [#avfc](https://twitter.com/hashtag/avfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Carl A (@Carlos\_1982) [January 6, 2022](https://twitter.com/Carlos_1982/status/1479093562356772869?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Let’s just wait & see if anything happens [#Coutinho](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Coutinho?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) 😬 it’s great being a [#avfc](https://twitter.com/hashtag/avfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) fan
>
> — Tracey 🌈 (@travillafc) [January 6, 2022](https://twitter.com/travillafc/status/1479097958692012033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> In regards to a mandatory/optional purchase option, no club is going to agree to a mandatory option and Barcelona need to get rid of Coutinho to register Torres so Villa will have all the power in the negotiations [#AVFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#FCB](https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Tʜᴇ Vɪʟʟᴀ Vɪsɪᴏɴ 𝕏 (@TheVillaVision) [January 6, 2022](https://twitter.com/TheVillaVision/status/1479098545613393921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Coutinho will automatically make Villa a bigger club.\
> More attractive for potential targets.\
> Bring in more mercs.\
> Etc.\
> Without him even kick a ball.[#avfc](https://twitter.com/hashtag/avfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)🦁 [https://t.co/WQudBBMAFZ](https://t.co/WQudBBMAFZ)
>
> — Ｅｓｐｅｎ🦁 (@espenstrand) [January 6, 2022](https://twitter.com/espenstrand/status/1479100780594425862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Been thinking about this and I can't recall a bigger signing in terms of status than Coutinho in my Villa-supporting life. Suppose Juninho would have been close. Which is not to say he will be a hit if he signs of course [#AVFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — James Cartledge (@Jim5875) [January 6, 2022](https://twitter.com/Jim5875/status/1479105806066806786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> If we can get Coutinho, Hickey, and a top notch CDM this window it would be superb business. [#avfc](https://twitter.com/hashtag/avfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/90aXIMvNId](https://t.co/90aXIMvNId)
>
> — Alex Middleton (@alexYYC) [January 5, 2022](https://twitter.com/alexYYC/status/1478817916267085824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/LewisRDixon/status/1478826114344800258?s=20

Coutinho [joined](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/philippe-coutinho/transfers/spieler/80444) Barcelona on a five-and-a-half-year deal from Liverpool in 2018 and has gone on to make [106 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/philippe-coutinho/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/80444) in all competitions, scoring 25 goals with 14 assists.

The Brazilian international was a regular in his early seasons at the Camp Nou, but he eventually struggled for form and playing time, resulting in him being loaned out to Bayern Munich (August 2019 – August 2020).

Coutinho has amassed only [501 minutes](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/philippe-coutinho/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/80444) of La Liga football this season, finding himself behind Ansu Fati, Ousmane Dembele and Ez Abde in the [pecking order](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-barcelona/ausfallzeiten/verein/131), so it’s clear his future is up in Spain.

A loan move would benefit all parties. It allows Coutinho to get regular playing time elsewhere while freeing up their wagebill [to register newboy Ferran Torres](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/barcelona-espbarcelona/story/4562339/ferran-torres-has-joined-barcelonabut-his-debut-is-unclear-as-club-tries-to-creatively-work-around-debt).

***[In other news, fans on social media say Aston Villa signing ‘superb’ Aaron Hickey would be ‘phenomenal’](https://readastonvilla.com/2022/01/06/fans-on-social-media-say-aston-villa-signing-superb-aaron-hickey-would-be-phenomenal/)***