It’s been a torrid season for Harvey Elliott.
The 22-year-old moved to Aston Villa on transfer deadline day for a one-season loan deal. The terms of the agreement included a £35m purchase clause provided the playmaker made 10 appearances.
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Villa however appear to have had a change of heart and no longer intend to honour that arrangement. Instead the talented midfielder has been marooned on five appearances with Unai Emery’s side determined not to let him reach the threshold.
That’s a bitter blow for the England under-21 star – who wanted to break into Thomas Tuchel’s senior squad ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
He has effectively lost a season of his career – and time is running out on his Liverpool days too.
Harvey Elliott back in Aston Villa squad
Elliott is only under contract at Anfield until 2027 with it expected that sporting director Richard Hughes sells him next summer.
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The two-time Premier League title winner was however given a glimmer of hope for his Aston Villa spell last weekend. With Emery’s men in the midst of a midfield injury crisis Elliott was called up to the bench for the game against Newcastle in the top flight.
He didn’t get on – predictably enough – but he remained an option in reserve for Villa’s Europa League assignment against Red Bull Salzburg.
However Emery stressed before the encounter that Elliott is not expected to complete his permanent transfer – outlining that Villa’s stance hadn’t altered.
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