Aston Villa playmaker Philippe Coutinho has revealed that he has no “regrets” over his decision to leave Liverpool for Barcelona in the 2018 winter transfer window.

After Barca failed to sign Coutinho in the 2017 summer transfer window, it reopened transfer talks with Liverpool for the Brazilian playmaker six months later. And in the end, the Catalan side hauled him in on a €160 million deal, coupled with add-ons.

While Coutinho showed promise in his debut season with Barca in now-former manager Ernesto Valverde’s 4-4-2 setup as a wide midfielder, he failed to replicate his keen form in the following campaign when the Spanish coach elected to revert his formation to a 4-3-3 one. And after an injury-riddled 2020-2021 campaign coupled with his roller-coaster play this season, the veteran talent was sent off on a second loan move, this time for a return to the Premier League at Aston Villa.

Overall, Coutinho does not look back at his move to Barca with regret, which he touched on to ESPN Brasil.

“At certain times we have to make decisions, and one of my big dreams was to play for Barcelona, and at that moment I decided to make that decision, but always with great affection, respect and gratitude for Liverpool and for the friendships over the years I've been in the club,” Coutinho said. “But at that moment I had a decision to make and I don't regret it.”

Coutinho most notably shined during his run with Liverpool in the Premier League. For one, he recorded 20 total goal contributions in his final full season with the Reds in the 2016-2017 league campaign, which included a notable seven assists and a 2.1 key passes per match average. Whether it was as a winger out wide on the flanks or when positioned as a central attacking midfielder, the Brazilian international proved to be a vital talent in Liverpool’s attack in league play.

Now, Coutinho is much pleased to have returned to the Premier League and is satisfied to have received this crucial opportunity to feature at Aston Villa.

“I am very happy,” Coutinho said. “It was my wish to return to play here in England and play in the Premier League once again. I'm having this opportunity and I'm very happy.

“I work hard every day to play well and give good results for the club I play for. Of course, I really wanted to return to the Premier League, I am at a great club that makes me very happy. All players giving their best so that we can achieve our goals as a team. I always work to make things work out. What I want most is to be well for the team I'm defending. Sometimes it doesn't and there's no way to explain it.”

In the big picture, Coutinho also has an eye on remaining as a mainstay with the Brazilian national team, especially as the 2022 FIFA World Cup will come later this year.

“Playing in a World Cup is always a dream,” Coutinho said. “We didn't win on that occasion (in 2018) even with a good team, unfortunately. I certainly have the desire to play, compete and be a world champion. It is my goal and the goal of the national team. We are at the end of the preparation, every day closer to the World Cup. A lot can happen between now and then, but I will be doing my best to continue defending my country.

“I feel very comfortable in the national team, I have been called up for a few years now. In Brazil, new players and top athletes are always coming up. A lot happens until the last call-up, but my goal is to be there. To have a good year at my club and play in the World Cup.”

For now, Coutinho sure is focused on his current half-season loan stint with Aston Villa. The English side will have the opportunity to keep the Brazilian talent in the upcoming summer transfer window via a €40 million buy option. It remains to be seen whether Aston Villa will end up keeping him at the club or if he may go on to return to Barca, where an uncertain future may await him there once again.

Through six league games played with Aston Villa so far this season, Coutinho has been featured out wide as a left winger. He has tallied for four total goal contributions, which include his quality showing in Aston Villa’s 3-3 draw result against Leeds United where he recorded one goal and two assists.