Wednesday afternoon at Bodymoor Heath and the atmosphere around Aston Villa’s training was noticeably different.
Philippe Coutinho’s loan to the club has been greeted with interest and curiosity from outside observers but, inside the camp, the only feeling is excitement.
As the Brazilian got down to business, under the keen eye of Villa’s coaching staff, enthusiasm started to quickly build.
Many of his new team-mates had finished second day recovery sessions, following Monday’s FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford, but they were in no hurry to leave. They preferred to stay and watch as Coutinho started to go effortlessly through the gears.