Philippe Coutinho scores and assists as Aston Villa humble Southampton at Villa Park

Aston Villa produced a stella performance thanks to a brilliant Philippe Coutinho display to embarrass Southampton to a 4-0 defeat at Villa Park.

Goals from Ollie Watkins, Douglas Luiz, Philippe Coutinho and Danny Ings helped Steven Gerrard’s side produce their first home win since the start of December.

Watkins opened the scoring in the 9th minute as he turned Jan Bednarek beautifully in the middle of the box before slotting past Fraser Forster after great link up play with Ings.

Luiz doubled Villa’s lead just before half time with a beautiful team goal, after a Callum Chambers chipped through ball was squared across the box by Coutinho for his fellow Brazilian to tap home.

Any chance of a Southampton comeback was quickly shutout as Coutinho got on the action, making space in the box before firing 10-yards out through the legs of Forster.

The three points were confirmed only minutes later when Ings netted home against his former side after a lovely pull back from Matty Cash, followed by muted celebrations by Ings against his former side.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side came close on a few occasions, Stuart Armstrong had a curling effort miss the target by a few inches in the first half, which Emi Martinez was struggling to get to.

However the Saints’ best chance came late in the second half as Che Adams was played through on goal, only to see his shot saved by Martinez, who had very little to do for the remainder of the game.

Coutinho shines once again

The Brazilian magician was back to his best once again as he scored and assisted in Villa’s superb display, cementing his position in Gerrard’s side.

A number of beautiful through balls and flicks were seen throughout the game from Coutinho who failed to let a single Southampton player get near him.

The Barcelona loanee deservedly felt the love of Villa Park late in the second half as he was subbed off and rounded the pitch towards the dugout.

It surely does raise the question as to where the ex-Liverpool man will end up next season, as he is starting to look at home in front of the Holt End.