Premier League: Decoding Philippe Coutinho's superb run for Aston Villa
Former Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho is back to his best after making a crucial loan move to Aston Villa in January from Spanish kings Barcelona. Coutinho, who had sealed a high-profile move to Barca, didn't get the desired time and also spent a season on loan at Bayern Munich. Villa snapped up the talented Brazilian and it has turned out to be highly important.
Why does this story matter?
Coutinho has had an electric start to his second stint in the Premier League. Being a shadow in Barcelona and opportunities hard to come by, the sound playmaker has thrived under former team-mate and current Villa coach Steven Gerrard. Coutinho has expressed himself well and is back to enjoying his football. He has made a positive impact for Villa, helping them earn crucial points.
Coutinho scores as Villa thrash Leeds 3-0
Aston Villa hammered Leeds United 3-0 to climb up to ninth in the standings. Coutinho scored Villa's opener with a deflected shot in the 22nd minute. Matty Cash and Calum Chambers scored in the second half to complete an important win. Leeds succumbed to their sixth successive defeat and are struggling at the moment. Gerrard highlighted his team is in a fantastic place.
Coutinho has been involved in seven PL goals for Villa
Since joining Villa in the winter transfer window, Coutinho has played eight PL matches. He has already been involved in seven goals. Coutinho has scored four goals, besides making three assists. He has already fired 21 shots with nine of them being on target. The experience campaigner has created four big chances and 13 accurate long balls.
Crunch numbers for Coutinho
Coutinho has been involved in the second-highest number of goals since making his Villa debut. The most goals plus assists in the league since Coutinho joined have been by Harry Kane (8), Coutinho (7), Bruno Fernandes (7), and Kevin De Bruyne (6). As per Squawka Football, Coutinho has scored in consecutive PL games for the first time since December 2017 versus Arsenal and Swansea.
Villa have won three successive PL matches
As per Opta, Aston Villa have won three consecutive Premier League games without conceding for the first time since a run of four in December 2009 under former manager Martin O'Neill. Notably, Villa were 16th in the league before Gerrard took charge of the club in November. They are now ninth in the league after a run of these crucial victories.
Coutinho's overall numbers in the Premier League
In 160 PL matches, Coutinho has amassed 45 goals and 38 assists under his belt. Out of his 525 shots, 166 have been on target. He has hit the woodwork 12 times. He has created 56 big chances and provided 312 accurate long balls.
