Why Aston Villa want Coutinho (Video)

When a team is in a perilous position in their respective league, the January transfer window could well be a blessing in disguise. It gives managers the opportunity to strengthen for the remainder of the campaign, whether they are staving off the threat of relegation or prepared to make a push for the title. Unfortunately for Aston Villa, it's the former. 

Paul Lambert's side are currently embroiled in a fight to remain in the Premiership whether fans like to admit it or not. A potential place in the final of the Capital One Cup is slipping from their grasp after falling to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Bradford City earlier this week and it leaves the Villains in a position as to where they go next.

While bolstering the defence may be the immediate concern, bringing in an attack minded player will surely appease the fans. Villa have been strongly linked with a move for Inter Milan midfielder Philippe Coutinho as Lambert looks to bolster his attacking ranks.

The agent of the 20-year-old has confirmed that the Midlands side have made an approach for the Brazilian, who has fallen down the pecking order with Inter after spending last season on loan at Espanyol.

He may not plug the gap in Villa's leaky backline, but he'll provide a threat from the flanks that the club have been devoid of in the absence of Gabriel Agbonlahor, which would only see their goalscoring chances improve significantly.  

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