Ex-Liverpool star's career hits new low with club ready to sell him in January

Aston Villa are willing to sell former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho in the January transfer window, according to reports.

Coutinho joined Villa on a permanent deal from Barcelona in the summer following a largely successful January loan spell.

The Brazil playmaker created major headlines when he made his return to England, four years after departing Anfield to join Barca for a fee of £142 million.

Although his time in Spain didn't quite go as the 30-year-old would have planned, a temporary deal at Villa Park was seen as the perfect way to get his career back up and running.

He scored five goals and provided three assists last term for Steven Gerrard's side, and looked to be an inspired signing during the early months of his time in the Midlands.

But this season has been a struggle, with Coutinho failing to score or assist in 13 Premier League appearances.

He was not declared fit to start Villa's 3-1 Boxing Day defeat against Liverpool, having not yet fully recovered from an injury suffered prior to the World Cup, although he did make a six-minute cameo from the bench.

According to new reports, that may prove to be one of his final appearances in a Villa shirt.

Aston Villa 'willing' to sell Coutinho

According to Football Insider, Villa are now willing to sell Coutinho in January.

They claim that Unai Emery's side have granted permission for the Brazilian's agent to find his client a new club.

A regular starter under Gerrard, it was unclear whether Coutinho would be presented with regular gametime under the management of Emery, who was appointed as Villa boss in October.

But speaking prior to the Liverpool clash, the Spaniard didn't quite close on the door on the Brazil playmaker at Villa Park.

He explained (quotes via Birmingham Mail): "I expect of him the best Coutinho possible ... He is not ready to play 90 minutes [following injury], but I am looking forward to seeing him on the pitch, in the matches, and with his quality he can help us a lot."

Villa are back in Premier League action on January 1, when they take on Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.