Aston Villa finally strike agreement as winger gets his transfer wish

Aston Villa Part Ways with Philippe Coutinho as Brazilian Seals Permanent Move to Vasco da Gama

 

Aston Villa have officially confirmed that Philippe Coutinho has left the club on a permanent deal, with the Brazilian playmaker rejoining his boyhood side Vasco da Gama. The move brings an end to a mixed spell at Villa Park, where Coutinho struggled to make a lasting impact following his high-profile arrival.

 

The former Liverpool star first arrived at Villa in January 2022, initially on a six-month loan from Barcelona, where he had once been the world’s third-most expensive player after a £142 million move from Anfield. That initial loan spell showed flashes of promise, especially under then-manager Steven Gerrard, a former teammate of Coutinho’s from their Liverpool days. Encouraged by his early performances, Villa made the move permanent that summer, tying him down to a four-year contract.

 

However, the Brazilian’s permanent stay in the West Midlands never truly took off. Injuries, inconsistency, and managerial changes meant that Coutinho quickly fell down the pecking order. When Unai Emery took over from Gerrard, it became evident that the 32-year-old playmaker did not feature in the Spaniard’s long-term plans. Emery instead focused on reshaping the squad and building a more dynamic, forward-thinking team—a vision that has since seen Villa qualify for a third consecutive European campaign.

 

Coutinho was sent out on loan to Qatari side Al-Duhail shortly after Emery’s arrival, and by the following summer, he had made a sentimental switch to Vasco da Gama, returning to the club where he began his professional career. His time at Vasco rekindled his passion for the game, and both the player and club made no secret of their desire to make the move permanent.

 

That ambition has now been realised, with Aston Villa and Vasco da Gama reaching an agreement to transfer Coutinho permanently. Reports indicate that Villa were prepared to terminate his contract a year early to facilitate the move. At the time of his departure, Coutinho still had one year remaining on the deal he signed in 2022.

 

During his time at Aston Villa, Coutinho made a total of 43 appearances and found the net six times. While the signing did not yield the returns Villa had hoped for, the club acknowledged his efforts in a brief but respectful farewell statement.

 

“Aston Villa can confirm that Philippe Coutinho has joined Vasco da Gama on a permanent basis,” read the club’s official announcement. “Everyone at Aston Villa would like to thank Philippe for his service to the club and wish him all the best in his future career.”

 

Coutinho now returns to Brazil with hopes of revitalising the latter stages of his career. For Villa, the move clears space on the wage bill and closes the chapter on an ambitious but ultimately underwhelming signing as they continue to evolve under Emery’s leadership.