Image Credits: Imago Images
Harvey Elliott’s summer move from Liverpool to Aston Villa was supposed to be the next big step in his career and really kickstart his senior career after a season on the bench at Anfield.
Fresh from being named Player of the Tournament at the U21 European Championships and hungry for regular Premier League minutes, the 22‑year‑old looked a perfect fit for Unai Emery’s ambitious side.
Instead, as winter approaches, Elliott finds himself on the fringes.
His transfer was seen as a coup by the Villains: a season‑long loan from Liverpool with an obligation to buy worth around £35m.
At that price he would rank among the most expensive signings in the club’s history.
Early signs seemed positive. Elliott made his Premier League debut off the bench at Everton and then scored on his first start for Villa in an EFL Cup tie at Brentford.
But the minutes quickly dried up. In the league, he has managed just 96 minutes across three appearances, with his last Premier League outing a half‑time introduction against former club Fulham back in September.
Since then, it has been a story of benches and omissions. Elliott has been reduced to a four‑minute cameo in the Europa League against Feyenoord, unused substitute roles, and, more recently, being left out of the matchday squad altogether.
And as a result, according to a report from GIVEMESPORT, the Midlands club are exploring options to terminate the deal in January and return the midfielder to Liverpool.
It is claimed that his “personal wrangle will be sorted in the coming month” and that “UEFA’s profit and sustainability regulations” make it extremely difficult that a deal be done.
Furthermore, Elliott was brought in as injury cover, but the Villains injury list has reduced greatly since the start of the season.
While no January recall clause exists in the season-long agreement, both clubs can mutually agree to terminate the arrangement—a possibility that now looks increasingly likely as Villa seek to avoid the permanent transfer commitment.
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