Philippe Coutinhos World Cup hopes in danger after suffering quad injury
Brazil defeated Switzerland 1-0 on Monday in World Cup Group G action, qualifying for the Round of 16.
Philippe Coutinho’s already slim hopes of representing Brazil at the World Cup are now in serious danger after he suffered a quad injury that ruled him out of Aston Villa’s win against Manchester United on Sunday.
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Coutinho, 30, was a surprise absentee from Unai Emery’s first Aston Villa matchday squad.
Emery confirmed after the match that Coutinho had suffered a “muscular injury” in training and was now unlikely to play on Thursday against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, or against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
“Coutinho is injured,” Emery said. “I don’t know how long it will be but, today, he couldn’t play and he’s not going to play until after the break. It’s a muscular injury.”
Villa coped well with Coutinho’s absence as goals from Leon Bailey, Lucas Digne and Jacob Ramsey secured an impressive 3-1 win over United in Emery’s first game in charge.
It is only the second Premier League match Coutinho has missed this season and the former Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich player has been battling to win his place back in Brazil’s squad ahead of the World Cup, following his omission from Tite’s last international squad.
Coutinho last played for Brazil in June, which he marked by scoring his 21st international goal in a 5-1 victory over South Korea.
Brazil are among the favourites to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and begin their campaign on November 24 against Serbia, before games against Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G.
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Philippe Coutinho knows he needs to start producing for Aston Villa to win back Brazil place
(Photo: Getty Images)
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