Philippe Coutinho dismisses reports saying he has asked to leave Aston Villa to return to Brazil as ‘lies’

Philippe Coutinho has said it is ‘lies’ that he has asked to leave Aston Villa.

Coutinho joined Villa on loan in January last year to reunite with former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard who was the manager at Villa Park.

The Brazilian made a bright start to life in the Midlands, and Villa confirmed at the end of last season that the club had turned his loan move from Barcelona into a permanent arrangement for a fee in the region of £17 million.

It has all changed at Villa since May, with Gerrard sacked following a disappointing start to the season and Coutinho struggling with injury.

Coutinho made only one appearance under Emery – a substitute run out from the bench in the 4-0 loss to Newcastle – before succumbing to injury at the end of October.

It was reported that Coutinho’s agent Kia Joorabchian had held talks with Corinthians, but the player took to social media to say he had not asked to leave and was focused on achieving his goals with Villa.

“NEVER and at any moment had any kind of conversation of mine asking to leave the club, because I’m happy here and my family too.

“My only focus now that I’m recovered from the injury is to work at the maximum every day, to play in a high level and help the club and my team-mates to achieve our goals.”

The winter transfer window opens on Sunday, the day Villa take on Tottenham in North London.

Going into the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Villa occupy 12th place in the Premier League.

The Villans are seemingly well placed in mid-table in the Premier League, but it is extremely condensed as they sit five points above the relegation places after 16 games of the season.