Harvey Elliott faces an uncertain future as the exiled Liverpool player continues to be left out of Unai Emery’s Aston Villa squad amid a crucial transfer decision
Unai Emery has said conversations are ongoing around Harvey Elliott’s loan move as the 22-year-old’s Aston Villa nightmare continues. Elliott has played just five games for Villa since joining the club on a loan deal from Liverpool in September.
If the Reds loanee makes 10 Premier League appearances for Emery’s side, he will become a permanent Villa player. In the process, the Midlands-based side will pay a £35 million transfer fee. So far, Elliott has made four league appearances, with one of those coming in the starting XI.
The deal had looked like an exciting prospect for Elliott. He made only two appearances under Arne Slot last season and Villa seemed like a good opportunity to find more minutes. However, this hasn’t come to fruition, as Emery explains.
“We are speaking with him and about his situation,” the Villa boss said. “He is not here with us. Hopefully, we can get the best for him and the best for us.”
“I respect him as a player and as a person. He is training well, but we have one circumstance with him. Hopefully, we can get a solution for him to try to play consistently and try to continue his career with us or not.
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“I have spoken with him two or three times about the situation we have with him. Firstly, my decision and the situation.
“Firstly, my decision is a sport decision and secondly, he’s on loan playing with us. He’s not definite to move to us with a permanent contract.”
Despite being in a state of transfer limbo, Elliott’s attitude looks to be impressing Emery – an experienced manager. The 22-year-old hasn’t given up despite not being played.
His efforts in training aren’t anything new for Villa. Last month, a report from The Athletic revealed that the Aston Villa staff were happy with Elliott’s attitude and application in training. He is also said to have not taken offence to Emery’s tough love early on.
As has been made clear with Mohamed Salah’s turbulent situation at Liverpool, it can be easy for a player to revolt against their club when things aren’t going their way.
However, despite still being in his early 20s, Elliott is showing a great level of maturity. Where his future lies is unclear, but if he is to return to Liverpool, his hard work in training will make him fit to start if Slot chooses to give him another chance.
