IT took a return to the Premier League for Philippe Coutinho to finally look like his old self again. After four years on the peripheries at Barcelona, the Brazilian has quickly made himself a central pillar of Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa team. In particular, Coutinho’s performance in the 4-0 win over Southampton served a reminder of all he is capable of on a football pitch.

Coutinho has registered three goals and three assists in just seven Premier League appearances. At Barca, the 29-year-old was asked to fit into a 4-3-3 system that never suited him. Gerrard, however, has recognised the importance of playing to Coutinho’s strengths and has deployed him as an attacking midfielder in a 4-3-1-2 or 4-3-2-1 shape.

Villa Park has already embraced Coutinho in a way the Camp Nou never did. In Gerrard, the Brazilian is now playing under a manager with the utmost faith in his ability. The problem for Coutinho is that he is set to return to Barcelona at the end of the season, when his six-month loan spell will come to an end.

For all concerned, it’s important Coutinho stays at Aston Villa. Barcelona, who have turned the corner with a core of young players under new manager Xavi Hernandez, don’t the Brazilian back and Coutinho doesn’t need to be reminded of his past failures there. He deserves to play for a club that wants him, and Aston Villa certainly want him.

“He got to the stage where he needed a change of scenery and a different movie,” Gerrard explained after Coutinho’s Man of the Match display against Southampton. “We want to be that movie for him because if we want to get to where we want to be, we need to build it around talents like Phil, because at his best he is a high-level player. All good teams have game-changers who the opposition are really concerned about before a ball is kicked.

“Phil has that status and he is giving belief to his team-mates. I don’t control transfer fees or wages. All I can do is give my opinion to (sporting director) Johan Lange, (chief executive) Christian Purslow and the owners. They are watching the games and they will make the final decision. Phil has shown what he is capable of so far.”

In Spain, the tempo of most matches was too slow for Coutinho to thrive. However, the intensity of the Premier League brings the best out of the Brazilian, a chaos merchant who is most effective between the lines of transition. In retrospect, it’s now clear Coutinho should never have left English football.

Still only 29, Coutinho can make up for lost time. He might never reach the elite level again, but Aston Villa are on an upward trajectory under Gerrard and will surely fancy their chances of qualifying for European football next season. Coutinho is the difference-maker who could fire them into continental contention.

Reports claim Aston Villa will have to find £33m to sign Coutinho permanently from Barcelona this summer, but on the basis of the start the Brazilian has made at the club this would represent something of a bargain. There aren’t many individual talents out there who can produce something out of nothing like Coutinho can.

Gerrard’s system depends the attacking midfielders, whether there’s one behind a front two or two behind a central striker, to exploit space and carry a threat. In Coutinho, the Aston Villa manager has found the perfect player for this role and Coutinho looks to have found the perfect club to resurrect his career.