Aston Villa superstar Philippe Coutinho has claimed that he is definitely not in a rush to considered quitting the Midlands outfit even amidst a lot of interest from clubs in Brazil. The 30-year-old came back to the Premier League on a loan deal in January 2022 before making the move permanent. However, Coutinho has never really been at his best since leaving Liverpool in 2018.
Aston Villa can relegate Dean Smith's Norwich this weekend providing they register their first home win at Villa Park since beating Southampton eight weeks ago. The Canaries' fate also rests with Burnley knowing if the Clarets beat Watford then Norwich will become a Championship club again.
To matters at Villa and Steven Gerrard was pleased with his side's defensive shift last week to claim a first point and first clean sheet in five matches. The head coach tweaked his system slightly last weekend and played a more compact midfield three with Leon Bailey and Philippe Coutinho playing much wider. Ollie Watkins also pressed well from the front. To Gerrard's thinking then going into Norwich and the boss has stressed how "the onus will be on us to go and create and open the door". This weekend's fixture against the bottom side comes after tough, concurrent games with West Ham, Arsenal, Wolves, Spurs and Leicester.
Manchester United are now winless in their last two games in the Premier League after they threw away a two-goal advantage to record a disappointing 2-2 draw at the home of Aston Villa.
The Red Devils were on course to make it two wins in a row against Aston Villa in all competitions until the one-time European champions struck twice in the last thirteen (13) minutes to rescue a well deserved point from losing position.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been the undisputed first choice at Aston Villa since his transfer from Arsenal last season and he was partially at fault for the sixth minute opener from Bruno Fernandes for Manchester United when he allowed his shot squirm under his body and into the back of the net. The early goal affected Villa as they were unable to impose themselves on the game in the first half. The early goal from Portugal international Fernandes gave United a 1-0 lead at the half-time interval.
