Football News: Coutinho leaves Barcelona, City celebrates Aguero

Phillippe Coutinho has joined Aston Villa on a permanent basis following a successful loan spell with the midland club. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

The weekend is here, ahead of the upcoming games across leagues, we look at a few hot topics.

Coutinho joins Aston Villa permanently

After what can be called a successful half-season loan from Barcelona, Aston Villa has decided to activate the option to sign Brazilian playmaker Phillippe Coutinho permanently and the player has signed in that regard.

The Villa Park outfit seeks to challenge the top sides next season after clawing back the team from the jaws of relegation with the sacking of Dean Smith, which paves way for the arrival of Steven Gerrard and we can only hope for a great summer of interesting signings.

Does Conte need a mirror?

Following Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Arsenal on Thursday night in the race for the top four in the premier league, Antonio Conte has hit out at Mikel Arteta of Arsenal after the latter complained bitterly over the officiating of the game at the Tottenham stadium.

Conte is the king of complaints but he somehow needed the presser to announce to Arteta that his moaning won’t change the result; no lies detected but does any manager around complain half as much as the Italian?

City unveils Aguero statue

Ten years after the iconic goal celebration that landed Manchester City their first-ever premier league title, the club has unveiled a Sergio Aguero statue right in front of the Etihad Stadium.

The Cityzens were 2-1 down at home to QPR in the final game of the season with Edin Dzeko heading home a late leveler. The game was headed for a draw and a disappointing finish to a promising season before Aguero ghosted past the QPR defense to score the most important goal of the club’s history.

Liverpool and Chelsea sweat over fitness issues ahead of cup final

Liverpool could be without Fabinho for the FA Cup final after the Brazilian limped out of the Liverpool win over Aston Villa in midweek while Chelsea could be without the duo of Matteo Kovacic and N’golo Kante for the same final.

Both sides meet on Saturday for the chance to win the FA Cup and Liverpool’s improbable quadruple quest hinges on the game with Chelsea also trying to lay claims to a domestic silverware.