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Harvey Elliott’s season-long loan to Aston Villa was supposed to reignite his career, but the 22-year-old now finds himself stuck with no clear path forward.
The Liverpool academy graduate has made just five appearances for Villa since arriving on 1 September in a deal worth £35m with an obligation to buy should he make 10 appearances.
Manager Unai Emery has offered him only one Premier League start thus far.
Speaking ahead of Villa’s Europa League clash, Emery admitted a decision on Elliott’s future is imminent. “We have an argument with him about the minutes,” the Spaniard said. “He needs to play more. We are going to make a decision”.
It has been suggested that Liverpool are open to recalling Elliott in January, with sources indicating the club would welcome him back to Anfield.
However, any return would see him walk straight into another situation where game time is far from guaranteed — Arne Slot’s side are in crisis, but Elliott was already on the fringes before his departure.
But Elliott’s situation is further complicated by transfer regulations.
Having already played a competitive match for Liverpool (off the bench in the 3-2 win over Newcastle United) and subsequently appearing in both the Premier League and EFL Cup for his loan club, he has now represented two teams in official fixtures this season.
Under FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, a player may only appear in competitive matches for a maximum of two clubs during a single season.
This means Elliott cannot simply move to a third club in January and expect to play — any new loan destination would see him ineligible for selection in league or cup competitions.
The situation leaves Elliott facing an impossible choice.
He can remain at Villa and hope Emery’s “decision” involves more minutes rather than an early recall. He can return to Liverpool, where Slot has shown little indication he fits into his plans
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