I know, it's sickening.
I think, though, that for Coutinho, he's been in the equivalent of soccer purgatory since he left for Barca. It was never going to work out there with Messi already being 1st pick for that (or similar no. 10 role; Coutinho likes to cut in from the left, even though he' a right footer). It's clear Gnasher got in his ear (remember, Gnasher agitated for a move to Arsenal a couple of years prior).
So for me, the gesture was saying how grateful he is for being rescued and being back in the Premier League (where I think we can all agree, he belongs) and that he's ready to give 100% for his new employer.
It was the same with Gerrard's appointment, everybody was dismissive saying he's inexperienced and that he'll leave for bigger things as soon as he gets the chance (which has gigantic assumptions attached to that view) - in his 1st interview he states "I'm all in". You can hear he is clearly committed, gives no BS interviews and has got all the attributes for success.
A double whammy (ffs).
A great time to be a Villa fan, though (and for football fans in general).
*njred, that reminds me of a birthday party I organized for jnr back in the 90's, a story for another day*