Philippe Coutinho believes Aston Villa can achieve big things during his time at the club after putting pen-to-paper on a permanent deal.
News of the Brazilian’s signing was broken by CEO Christian Purslow at the club’s End of Season Awards Dinner on Thursday night.
The 29-year-old has impressed in claret and blue since signing on loan in January, and he now aims to help Villa hit new heights in the coming years.
“I’m really happy, my family are really happy to be here,” he said.
“It’s a top club and I always felt welcome when I arrived here, from everyone, so for me today is a happy day.
“I felt very welcome from the fans, from my team-mates and from the staff. Like I said, it’s a great club and we want to achieve big things.
“I believe so much in this club and that’s why I signed here. I’m very, very happy.”
Working under head coach and former team-mate Steven Gerrard has helped bring the best out of the playmaker, who made an instant impact with a goal on his debut against Manchester United.
Coutinho’s gone on to score four goals and register three assists, and he feels the club are going places under the guidance of Gerrard and his staff.
He said: “He (Gerrard) believes in me. We’ve known each other for a long time and I felt very welcome from him and his staff when I arrived here.
“He’s a great manager, for sure. I’m happy to be managed by him and his staff.
“His ambitions are high and I believe in the same things he believes in. I want to work hard to achieve these things.”
Belief was a key word for the 29-year-old throughout his first interview as a permanent Villa player, with Coutinho completely buying into the ambition to bring European football back to Villa Park.
“I feel happy in the club. It’s been a good start and I want to achieve good things with the club,” he said.
“I’m already looking forward to the next year. I believe so much in the squad and the club, and we can achieve good things next year.
“We can do better than we did this year and we want to achieve things like getting into Europe. I believe so much in the squad and the work the staff is doing.
“I believe that’s where we have to be, playing in European games. That’s what we will work hard for.”
Watch Coutinho's full interview with VillaTV below...
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