Philippe Coutinho's "lovely teeth" send Gerrard clear message about Villa move

Philippe Coutinho is set to "shine" even brighter for Aston Villa according to boss Steven Gerrard.

Coutinho was recently named Villa's player of the month for February after impressing with two goals and two assists since his January loan from Barcelona.

The silky Brazilian,29, is Villa's main hope to mastermind victory at home over in-form Southampton on Saturday after the hosts won at Brighton last weekend.

And Gerrard, who has an option to sign Coutinho permanently this summer for £33million, insists his old Liverpool team-mate is starting to sparkle again.

The Villa boss assessed: "I can tell by his body language and his smile when I see those lovely teeth.

"I can see he is happy and settled and enjoying his football.

"That was the main aim because I knew if we could get him in that place we would see great things.

"I think he has been very consistent.

"He has come and wasn't at his best physically in terms of match minutes.

"But now we have got training and match load into his legs, his training level is going up and up all the time.

"I thought he was outstanding last week and I wouldn't question or challenge him being our best player throughout February, even though our results haven't been good.

"His level has been top since he has come in and now he is match fit, I only predict he can shine from now until the end of the season.

"He is happy and settled here.

"In terms of the long-term, we are analysing that situation every single day.

"It is something we will come to come the end of the season."

Coutinho helped Villa last weekend in an attacking three featuring Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins.

Ings,29, who has not scored since January 2, is now in line to face his old club Saints for the first time since a £25m move last August.

Gerrard admitted: "I am sure it is on Danny's mind, of course it is.

"He had a good time at Southampton where he delivered and performed ever so well for them.

"Knowing Danny he will be very mature and professional how he handles it.

"If it gives him that little extra bit of motivation, then we are only going to benefit from that so I don't mind that at all.

"He just has to focus on what we are trying to do as a team like he did last week.

"He just has to do the best he can and be the best version he can be, that will be enough for me, he doesn't have to do anything special."