Philippe Coutinho pictured in Aston Villa colours for the first time since loan move from Barcelona

Philippe Coutinho has been pictured in Aston Villa colors for the first time since his loan spell from Barcelona was confirmed – as the Brazilian edges nearer to a Premier League return.

Coutinho’s short term shift to Villa Park was confirmed very last week, with the Midlands club holding the selection to indication the previous Liverpool star completely at the stop of this existing year.

And the 29-yr-outdated was formally offered as a Villa participant late on Tuesday night and will have on the No 23 shirt between now and the stop of the year. 

Sportsmail uncovered very last week that Villa will have to pay back about £33million to indication Coutinho completely this summer time from Barcelona, who however fund fifty percent of his wages this year with the other fifty per cent paid out by the Premier League club. 

Villa boss Steven Gerrard and Coutinho played jointly at Liverpool from 2013 to fifteen, and just about aided the Anfield club to the league title under Brendan Rodgers in 2014.

Coutinho’s loan offer was confirmed on January seven but immigration and medical good reasons intended he was not in a position to get portion in Villa’s FA Cup 3rd spherical defeat absent at Manchester United on Monday night. 

The Brazilian will, on the other hand, be out there to deal with United in their Premier League experience at Villa Park on Saturday.  

Coutinho uncovered that his previous group-mate Gerrard was key in him making the change to Birmingham – and thinks he can lear off Villa’s new boss this year.

‘It’s a satisfaction to be listed here, it’s a terrific club,’ Coutinho instructed the Villa official site. ‘I spoke a large amount with the supervisor, with Stevie, and he instructed me about the club and his ambitions. I am extremely delighted to be listed here and I am searching to appreciate my football.’

‘I’ve recognized Stevie for a prolonged time. I played with him and I uncovered a large amount from him. He is anyone who I have large admiration for. I hope to do my greatest listed here. For guaranteed, I will do the job really hard, and I hope jointly we can do excellent do the job.

‘I’m searching ahead to meeting the supporters, to becoming on the pitch. I know and I experience that they are delighted that I am listed here. I want to repay that on the pitch and appreciate my football. 

‘I’m searching ahead to becoming on the pitch. I usually want to be at my greatest, accomplishing my do the job. That is what I do the job really hard for every single working day. I hope it will be a terrific relaxation of the year listed here.’ 

Gerrard, in the meantime, thinks Coutinho’s arrival at Villa Park will be priceless between now and the stop of the year, at least.

‘He is an exceptional footballer who features a extremely amazing CV laced with a good deal of elite honours. I am definitely pleased that we have been in a position to carry him on board and I am searching ahead to working with him.

‘He is a participant I relished enjoying with formerly and I know the relaxation of the squad listed here at Aston Villa will gain from his quality and encounter. His existence will be priceless presented injuries and the AFCON event have minimized our attacking possibilities.’