Well fair enough I guess, but without Coutinho, these players who were also coveted by elite sides would not have chosen Villa, so that in and of itself is transformative. In short order we have gone from an overlooked, underwhelming side to what we are assembling now, which is forcing the football world to reassess old attitudes and expectations. Just look at the latest betting odds, that alone says a lot. Perception is reality as they say. Not sure I always agree with that, but it's hard not to think we are rounding a corner that has been so **** elusive for decades. Even MON era was a false dawn. This feels much different.