‘Lost for words’ - Former Aston Villa star hits out at Coutinho and Gerrard after Bournemouth defeat

Former Aston Villa star Gabriel Agbonlahor has admitted he was ‘lost for word’s after Saturday’s defeat at Premier League newcomers Bournemouth.

Expectations and enthusiasm were high ahead of the trip to the South Coast after Villa boss Steven Gerrard enjoyed a productive summer in the transfer market.

The Liverpool legend has spent around £50million on the likes of Diego Carlos, Philippe Coutinho and Boubacar Kamara during the close-season and all three were handed starts against Scott Parker’s side.

However, it was the Cherries that came out on top thanks to a goal in each half from midfielder Jefferson Lerma and Wales striker Kieffer Moore.

Although Agbonlahor was unhappy with the display of his former side, it was the performance from one of their summer additions that left him angry.

“The big disappointment was Coutinho,” he told talkSPORT.

“He’s been brought in by Steven Gerrard and he was non-existent and didn’t really get on the ball.

“He needs to dominate games. He’s keeping a new signing from last year in Emi Buendia on the bench so he has to be taking the games by the scruff of the neck, getting on the ball, making things happen.

“He had a shot in the second half and it went horribly wide and you think, this isn’t Coutinho.

“Steven Gerrard has got faith in him but how long can you keep playing him? He’s not getting the numbers that he needs to play in that position.”

Villa will hope to recover from their opening day defeat when they entertain Everton in their first home game of the season on Saturday lunchtime.

Agbonlahor believes Gerrard will have some big calls to make before deciding on his starting eleven for the meeting with the Toffees.

He said: “Gerrard needs to figure out his best team. He’ll make some changes next week against Everton at home because today was unacceptable.

“You think of the Villa fans who made that long journey to Bournemouth too. It’s not an easy place to get to.

“I’m lost for words.”