Harvey Elliott has endured a nightmare loan at Aston Villa so far, with the Liverpool midfielder last featuring for Unai Emery’s side against Feyenoord in October
Harvey Elliott has endured a nightmare loan at Aston Villa after moving from Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Harvey Elliott has sent a message to 17-year-old Liverpool sensation Rio Ngumoha after the Reds booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Arne Slot’s side survived a scare to beat League One side Barnsley 4-1 at Anfield on Monday, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike scoring for the Reds.
After the game, Ngumoha, who was handed just his third start of the season by Slot, took to Instagram to express his delight on the win. Alongside two images of him in action against Barnsley, Ngumoha said: “Next round.”
Elliott, 22, responded in the comments section with a fire emoji. He wasn’t the only Liverpool player to share his support to the 2008-born winger, with Trey Nyoni putting a love heart emoji, while Ryan Gravenberch, Ibrahima Konate, Szoboszlai, Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Virgil van Dijk and Giovanni Leoni were among those to like the post.
It has been a difficult season for Elliott so far, with the England international enduring a nightmare loan spell at Aston Villa after joining Unai Emery’s side from the Reds in the summer. Indeed, he has made just five appearances for the Villans, with his most recent outing coming against Feyenoord in the Europa League on October 2.
Emery explained the situation behind Elliott’s lack of game time at Villa earlier this month, saying the club were “not convinced” two months ago to sign him on a permanent deal. Elliott arrived at Villa on a season-long loan, with an obligation to buy for £35million based on him playing 10 Premier League games for the Midlands side.
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“The problem we have with Harvey is that this year he is on loan, and in case he plays matches we must buy him,” Emery said on January 2, three months since his last appearance for Villa. “We decided two months ago that we are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we would need to sign him.
“This is the only issue. He is training every day, always every day with very good behaviour and to help us in training sessions. This is not something good for him and good for us, but this is football and sometimes we must take some decisions which are not good for everyone.”
The BBC reported earlier this month that Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC, coached by former Villa manager Dean Smith, are interested in Elliott, but he is not keen on moving to America.
Elliott is not be able to play for another European club this season, having already represented Liverpool and Villa in the 2025/26 campaign. He featured in the Community Shield for the Reds before coming on as a second-half substitute in the 3-2 win at Newcastle United in August.
Slot was asked about Elliott last week and offered his response. I”f you want to ask about a Villa player, ask Unai Emery,” he said. “Liverpool has no recall option.”
