Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard said Philippe Coutinho was “right up there with his Liverpool form of old” as his side produced a magnificent display to win consecutive Premier League games for the first time since November and end Southampton’s six-match unbeaten run.
The Brazilian, who joined Villa on loan from Barcelona in January, played a role in the first two goals, before scoring the third as Villa emphatically ended a four-game winless streak at Villa Park and produced their biggest win under Gerrard.
After a smart Coutinho pass Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins linked up, the latter turning Jack Stephens before curling into the far corner for the opening goal after nine minutes.
The second came on the stroke of half-time as Calum Chambers superbly lofted over the Saints defence with the outside of his boot for Coutinho to cushion across to compatriot Douglas Luiz who tapped home for his first league goal since January 2020.
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl brought on Yan Valery at half-time and switched to a back five, but Coutinho drilled home a third from the right side of the area, before Ings swept home a Matty Cash cutback against his former club in the opening 10 minutes of the half to end any hopes of a comeback.
“We’ve got Phil [Coutinho] back fit and in a really good physical place. He was right up there with his Liverpool form of old today and he was above the game at times,” Gerrard, who played alongside the 29-year-old at Liverpool, told BBC Match of the Day.
“I witnessed that at close quarters when I played with him. The goal he scored today, he was sending the defenders one way and the other, and he used to do that to me most days in training.
“He probably finished my career a couple of years early – he’s the reason I’ve got screws in my knees and groin!”
The win sees Villa climb to 11th, just outside the top half on goal difference, while Southampton remain ninth.
As at all Premier League games this weekend, there was a show of solidarity and support for Ukraine after the invasion by Russia, with the Aston Villa fans applauding and Southampton fans holding up blue and yellow scarves.
