Philippe Coutinho Admits To Breathing Fresh Air At Aston Villa After Living A Difficult Time With Barca

Philippe Coutinho (Twitter @AVFCOfficial)

JAKARTA - Philippe Coutinho said he was happy since moving to Aston Villa on loan from Barcelona last month.

The Brazilian playmaker, who is on a six-month loan contract, admits he has breathed a breath of fresh air after spending a difficult time at Barcelona, where in four years with the club he made less than 100 appearances.

But since Villa was coached by former Liverpool team-mate Steve Gerrard, he has grown to feel at home at Aston Villa and says it was as if Gerrard had been a transformed player.

He has scored two goals and assisted many times during Gerard's six appearances, five of which have started.

"I'm very happy," he told ESPN Brasil. "It is my desire to play again in England and to play again in the Premier League. I am happy I have this opportunity."

"Every day I work hard to play well and contribute with good results for the club I play for. And of course, I really want to return to the Premier League, I am at a brilliant club which makes me very happy."

"All the players give their best so that we can achieve our goals as a team. What I want most is to be physically fit for the team I play for."

Coutinho is out of contract at the end of this season and the Villans have an option to make him permanent with a record of having to spend 33 million pounds.