Unai Emery says Aston Villa have been negotiating with Liverpool “for three months” over the terms of Harvey Elliott’s loan as they try to use the midfielder more in the season’s run-in. Elliott joined Villa on Deadline Day in September on a loan that includes an obligation to buy depending on appearances.
The England U21 international did not feature between October 2 and Villa’s final Europa League group match against RB Salzburg last month. He has made seven appearances for Villa so far. The permanent deal is triggered at 10 appearances, including five in the second half of the season.
Emery accepted Villa have “damaged” Elliott by using him sparingly but said the player deserves more game time as Villa compete on three fronts. “I spoke with him. We have been fair because there are two ways,” Emery said. “One way is sport, the second is business. We’ll be fair in case, because we are trying it and I told him, I spoke a few times with Harvey.”
Emery said he is opening the door to play Elliott because “he can help us,” but stressed that the situation is not solely his decision. He explained the sporting choice is to play him, but the business clauses in the loan give Liverpool the final say: “My sport decision is still there — ‘you are deserving to play, we need your qualities in the field, you are going to play’. But in case, the clauses are still there and now it is Liverpool — they have the key.”
Villa made moves in the winter window, signing Tammy Abraham from Besiktas, bringing Douglas Luiz in on loan from Juventus, and recalling Leon Bailey from his loan at Roma. Emery said Villa can continue negotiating with Liverpool outside the window but acknowledged Liverpool ultimately decide whether the clause is removed. “We are speaking about it [taking off the clause] but not now. We started speaking about it three months ago,” he said.
Praising Elliott’s character, Emery added: “It will be fair for him, because he’s a calm guy, good guy, and he’s a fantastic professional. And then his qualities are there. Of course he must play, and he’s really being passionate and I know we are damaging him, because we got a deal with Liverpool in the summer and the deal is there, and we are taking the decision responsibly from my side. It can change for him, in case Liverpool take off this clause — if they don’t want to, okay.”