Unai Emery has revealed talks are taking place over Harvey Elliott‘s future at Aston Villa, hinting at a return to Liverpool – perhaps as early as the January transfer window.
Elliott has not travelled with the Villa squad for their Europa League clash with Basel on Thursday night, meaning he will miss a 13th straight game for the club.
It is widely expected that, despite the terms of his loan from Liverpool, the midfielder will not make a permanent switch to Villa Park in the summer.
Emery has actively avoided reaching the 10-appearance threshold that would trigger a £35 million obligation to buy, and in his press conference in Basel on Wednesday he confirmed talks were taking place.
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.
“We are speaking with him and about his situation. He is not here with us,” he told reporters including BBC Sport.
“First, my decision and also the situation. He is on loan playing with us, but he is not definitely adding to us with a permanent contract.
“Hopefully we can get the best for him and the best for us. I respect him as a player and as a person. He is training well, but we have one circumstance with him.
“Hopefully we can get a solution for him to try to play consistently and try to continue in his career with us or not.”
Liverpool’s stance on Harvey Elliott may shift
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz is replaced by substitute Harvey Elliott during the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With Elliott unable to play for another club this season having already made appearances for both Liverpool and Villa, there are fewer options for the 22-year-old in January.
He can either stay at Villa and look to force his way into Emery’s plans – which seems futile at this stage – or look to return to Merseyside and rejoin Arne Slot‘s squad.
There is no indication that Liverpool wish to bring Elliott back, with their belief on deadline day being that they effectively agreed a permanent sale due to the favourable terms negotiated with Villa.
But with Slot repeating before and after the 1-0 win over Inter Milan on Tuesday that he had only 13 outfield players with Premier League or Champions League experience available at present, there is cause to argue over a vacancy for Elliott.
LEEDS, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 6, 2025: Liverpool's substitute Mohamed Salah warms-up during the FA Premier League match between Leeds United FC and Liverpool FC at Elland Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool were after all not expecting the Mohamed Salah situation to unfold – not least when they allowed their No. 19 to leave for Villa – nor the injury issues Jeremie Frimpong continues to face.
Having Elliott back in the squad from the start of January could be a major boost to Slot’s side, albeit while forgoing a sizeable transfer fee.
It is a story that is likely to develop in the coming weeks, with Emery all but confirming all suspicions over his lack of plans for Elliott.