'A decision' - Gary Lineker wades into crucial Aston Villa transfer dilemma

Gary Lineker has waded into the big transfer dilemma facing Aston Villa ahead of a crucial summer window for Steven Gerrard's side.

© Nick Potts/PA Wire Coutinho is on loan from Barcelona

Villa got back to winning ways after a 2-0 defeat of Norwich City on Saturday, with Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings on the scoresheet at Villa Park. Gerrard 's men had not tasted victory since March 10 when Philippe Coutinho scored in a 3-0 win at Leeds United.

Villa then went on a run of five games without a win and Coutinho 's form tailed off. The Barcelona loanee signed for Villa until the end of the season in January with a £33 million option to make his move permanent in the summer.

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Coutinho began his stint at Villa in fine form with four goals and three assists in eight matches but has struggled recently. However, he was back to his all-action best against Norwich and gave Dean Smith 's side a difficult time.

There is an important decision for Villa to make in the summer about activating the option to bring in Coutinho. Some supporters feel their side already have enough in attack and resources should be directed elsewhere whereas others reckon £33m for a player who cost £142m four years ago is good business.

Lineker, meanwhile, has asked that crucial question himself. "It is an important win for Villa, it stops the rot a little bit and they have been on a difficult run," he said on the BBC's Match of the Day highlights programme.

"Coutinho, he started great when he arrived and has faded a little bit. "There is a decision to be made, should they go all out for him or not?"

Pundit Danny Murphy answered yes and argued the case for Coutinho's arrival on a permanent move to Villa because of the £33m fee. "If you're asking me would I go in for him for £33m, I'd say yes 100 percent," Murphy said.

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