Harvey Elliott has now gone unused in eight games for Aston Villa, with head coach Unai Emery hinting this week that the midfielder could return to Liverpool in January.
If Elliott were to make 10 appearances on loan at Villa, the Midlands club would be obliged to sign him for a set fee of £35 million.
But it appears as though Emery is resolved not to meet that target, having not used the 22-year-old in any of the last eight games he has been eligible for.
Villa to make decision on Harvey Elliott in January
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 1, 2025: Liverpool's substitute Harvey Elliott on the bench before the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Speaking ahead of the 2-1 win over Young Boys this week, the Villa head coach was asked whether Elliott had a future at the club, hinting that a decision will come in January.
“We now have a lot of matches. We must focus on each match with the players we have now,” he told the Birmingham Mail.
“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.”
Aston Villa's Harvey Elliott (right) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Carabao Cup third round match at the Gtech Community Stadium, London. Picture date: Tuesday September 16, 2025.
Elliott’s last outing was in a 2-0 win over Feyenoord on October 2, coming off the bench to play four minutes in the Europa League.
Since then he has been an unused substitute in Premier League wins over Burnley and Tottenham as well as in clashes with Go Ahead Eagles, Maccabi Tel Aviv and, on Thursday night, Young Boys in Europe.
Elliott has not even made the bench for any of the last four league games, though the terms of his loan ruled him out of the 2-0 loss to Liverpool last month.
His last appearance in the league was on September 28, with Emery bringing him off at half-time in a 3-1 win over Fulham – which was only his second start for Villa.
Elliott cannot play for another club this season
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
If Villa were intent on sending Elliott back to Liverpool in January, it would require negotiation between the two clubs as well as an agreement with the player himself.
Liverpool accepted favourable terms with Villa – who faced PSR issues – on deadline day on the understanding that the midfielder’s £35 million switch in the summer was viewed as a formality.
Therefore it is possible that the Premier League champions would seek compensation, having previously valued Elliott at £50 million before agreeing a lower fee with Villa along with sell-on and buy-back clauses.
All parties will be aware that, having already played for both Liverpool and Villa this season, Elliott would not be permitted to feature for a third club in 2025/26.
However it could be argued that he would be an asset for Arne Slot in the second half of the campaign were he to return to Anfield.