Aston Villa star Philippe Coutinho has been forced onto the sidelines with a long-term injury and it feels like there is a 'curse' hanging over him at Villa Park, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The creative midfielder completed a £17million switch from Barcelona during the summer, having spent the second half of last season on loan, but he has suffered a major setback.

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What's the latest news involving Coutinho?

According to the Daily Mail, Coutinho has been ruled out for up to 10 weeks after sustaining a quadricep injury during a training session.

The report suggests the blow has cast fresh doubt over whether the 30-year-old, who is back in the Premier League for the first time since leaving Liverpool in a £146million deal for Barcelona in 2018, has a long-term future at Villa.

Coutinho will now miss the World Cup in Qatar, where he would have been hoping to add to his 69 caps for Brazil.

He has reacted to the injury by insisting he will focus on 'recovering in the best way to come back even stronger'.

Coutinho's lay-off also comes at a worrying time as he will be deprived of the opportunity to make an early impression after Unai Emery was appointed as Villa's head coach last month.

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What has Dean Jones said about Coutinho?

Jones believes Coutinho's career has nosedived since he left Liverpool for Barcelona and he has been unable to rediscover his best form following his Villa arrival.

The journalist feels the South American's injury has emphasised the bad luck he has been forced to deal with since departing Merseyside.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "It never rains, it pours for Coutinho. He's had a terrible time since leaving Liverpool and it was such a big decision to make that transfer in the first place, to quit Anfield.

"I don't know if somebody put a curse on him or something, but it certainly feels like it because nothing has gone right for him no matter what transfer he has tried."

How has Coutinho performed this season?

Villa handed Coutinho a contract worth £125,000-per-week when he made the permanent switch during the summer, but he has not repaid the club with quality on the pitch.

He is still searching for his first goal contribution of the campaign, having made 13 appearances, and that would have been a concern for Emery before the injury ruled him out of contention for a prolonged period.

Coutinho's lack of end product has resulted in him only averaging 48 minutes per Premier League outing, while he has not created any big chances.

Villa will be hopeful of the Brazilian - who has won an abundance of silverware during his career - making a speedy recovery, but it is clear that they will be expecting more of a threat when he is back in the matchday squad.

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