Harvey Elliott, currently on loan at Aston Villa from Liverpool, has had a challenging start. However, his determination and effort in the face of adversity are a testament to the 22-year-old's character. Elliott made the move to the Midlands club on a season-long loan at the end of the transfer window, with a clause triggering an obligation to buy after 10 appearances for around £35million.
The midfielder sought a departure from Anfield following an impressive performance at the Under-21 Euros, where he was named Player of the Tournament, and was looking for more consistent playing time. Despite being a crucial player for Jurgen Klopp, Elliott found himself lower down the selection order when Arne Slot took the reins in the summer of 2024, partly due to an injury at the start of last season.
He clocked up 28 appearances across all competitions, but this only amounted to 822 minutes on the pitch. However, despite initial predictions that he would become a key player for Unai Emery at Villa, Elliott's battle for regular game time has been equally, if not more, challenging at Villa Park. He has made five appearances in all competitions so far, totalling less than 200 minutes.
Elliott hasn't started a Premier League match for Villa since the end of September and has been missing from the last three matchday squads. One absence was due to being ineligible to play against his parent club at Anfield, but the decisions against Manchester City and Bournemouth were purely tactical.
The Athletic has dismissed rumours of terminating the loan deal and returning to Liverpool in January. The report confirms that there is no recall clause in the agreement, and neither club has expressed a desire to end the contract prematurely.
The article further reveals a 'growing frustration' from the player's perspective, as his situation seems to worsen with each passing week - a sentiment that is understandable considering he left the Reds in pursuit of more playing time. With England now having secured their spot in the World Cup, time is running out for him to make an impression on Thomas Tuchel.
However, one particular detail stands out. Elliott is said to have won over Villa's staff with his positive attitude and commitment during training, despite the challenging circumstances.
He reportedly took Emery's early tough love in stride, referring to the manager's critique of him following their 1-1 draw against Sunderland earlier this season.
For Elliott, this resilient mindset could be his greatest asset in the coming weeks as the schedule intensifies. It would be easy for a player in his position to retreat, particularly if they feel their efforts are going unnoticed, but Elliott's determination to persevere will undoubtedly aid him in reaching his goals in due course.
Youri Tielemans serves as a prime example for Elliott, having initially found it challenging to adjust to Emery's requirements upon joining the club. Now, the Belgian midfielder is an integral part of the team when he's fit.
Following the international break, Villa are set to face a series of potentially favourable matches, including an away game against Leeds and home fixtures versus Young Boys and Wolves. This could present the ideal chance for Elliott to make his mark at Villa Park.