EXCLUSIVE: Harvey Elliott endured another frustrating night on the sidelines for Aston Villa as he was an unused substitute in their 2-1 win over Young Boys the Europa League
Harvey Elliott faces an uncertain future at Aston Villa and former defender Stephen Warnock has offered his verdict.
Harvey Elliott faces an uncertain future at Aston Villa and former defender Stephen Warnock has offered his verdict.
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Stephen Warnock says that Harvey Elliott is good enough to still break into Unai Emery's plans at Aston Villa. However, the former Villa and Liverpool defender pointed out the 22-year-old's downfall could be down to him being unable to find his best position.
It was another frustrating evening for the England talent after he was left out in the cold for Villa's 2-1 win over Young Boys in the Europa League. The triumph took Emery's side one step closer to qualifying for the knockout stages of the Europa League but against the Swiss giants, Elliott was an unused substitute.
Elliott's absence from the starting XI comes as part of the latest frustration for the Liverpool loanee, who has been consigned to just five appearances in all competitions.
Warnock reasoned with the Premier League-winner's failure to play his way into Emery's plans. But the former defender admitted that without a best position, it makes it difficult for him to break into the starting XI, as Warnock discussed the prospect of terminating his loan in January.
"It depends what has gone on behind the scenes and I don’t think a lot of people know," he said exclusively speaking to Birmingham Live, via WhichBookie.
"Sometimes you go into a football club and the football manager doesn’t think you fit into his plans or there’s a side that can be improved. Can you work hard behind the scenes? When he moved to Aston Villa, everyone thought it would be a dream move but my thing with Harvey has always been that he’s a brilliant footballer and he’s so naturally gifted but what is his best position?
"I couldn’t tell you because certain games suit certain positions for him and it’s been sort of his downfall. I’ve seen people saying bring him back to Liverpool and he’ll play a major part but if he can’t get in the Villa team, why would he suddenly get into Liverpool’s?"
On the possibility of heading back to Anfield in the New Year, Warnock added: "Sometimes moves work out for players, sometimes they don’t, what we know about Harvey is he will get his head down and get on with, if come January, he’s still not playing football and if there’s a way out of the loan, I’m sure he’ll look to get at that because he’ll think he’ll want to play football because that’s why he left Liverpool, to play more games."
Ross Barkley and Harvey Elliott warm-up.
Harvey Elliott failed to make an appearance from the bench as uncertainty over his future continues.
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Out of the five appearances in all competitions, Elliott has managed just three in the Premier League, one in Europe and the other in the Carabao Cup that brought his only goal for Villa. It emerged recently if he makes 10 appearances for Villa, the club have to sign him on a permanent basis for the £35m fee that was agreed in the summer.
Uncertainty surrounds the two-time under-21 European Championships winner at Villa Park, with the prospect of his move to the Midlands not being made permanent from Liverpool.
Emery faces a decision regarding Elliott and when asked about the England youngster, he said: "We now have a lot of matches. We must focus on each match with the players we have now.
"We are not thinking about the transfer window in January. He is one of our players and hopefully he can help us. Then, we are going to decide.
"Firstly, there are other players performing very well. This is the first argument of why he is not playing. He is training very well every day."
Despite the disappointment so far, Warnock expects the playmaker to be knuckling down to play into the Spaniard's plans, as he discussed what is likely going on behind closed doors at Villa.
Warnock said: “Having known him and known him off the pitch, he’s probably doing everything he can behind the scenes to get into the team and that’s all you can do. Ask questions of the staff, the manager and I’m sure he’s done that.
"The hardest part is not trying too hard, which sounds daft, because the harder you try, the harder it becomes because you’re not playing with a freedom, you’re trying to impress too much without playing your natural game. It’s got to be a natural evolution if you like and it has to be organic but it’s very difficult because you’re desperate to impress and do well.
"There will be an element of, ‘Have I made the wrong decision here? Can I ever turn this manager’s opinion around?' He’s good enough to do it, maybe it will take a little bit more time, I hope he does and I’m sure he will."