Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has explained the situation around Harvey Elliott
Harvey Elliott has hardly featured for Aston Villa on loan
Harvey Elliott has hardly featured for Aston Villa on loan
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Unai Emery has admitted that Aston Villa decided two months ago against signing Harvey Elliott permanently, explaining that his departure would free up space to strengthen the squad.
The 22-year-old’s last appearance for Villa came at the end of October, when they beat Feyenoord 2-0 at De Kuip.
Despite scoring Villa’s first goal of the season against Brentford in the Carabao Cup, Elliott has only featured five times for the club - half the number of appearances required for Villa to be obliged to sign him permanently.
The agreed transfer fee for Elliott, should he make 10 appearances while on loan, was £35 million. However, the two clubs are now in discussions to determine the midfielder’s future.
“We have the issue with Harvey Elliott. Again, I am respecting all I can because he is a very good guy, a professional and respectful guy,” Emery explained.
“The situation he has with us is something I must take a decision on, but trying not to damage the player as less as possible. He deserves the best for him.
“After it, if he is leaving, we can maybe try to use the position he is [in] to let us work something [in the market]. Until now, we only signed Alysson because we believe in his potential.
“Of course, we are opening the door for players with more experience. The players we have, I am so happy.
“In case we are not signing more players, I am really convinced myself to get the objective we have this season."
Emery added: “The problem we have with Harvey is that he is on loan, and in case he plays matches we must buy him.
“We decided two months ago that we are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we would need to. This is the only issue. He is training every day with very good behaviour and to help us in training sessions.
“This is not something good for us and him, but this is football and sometimes we must make decisions.”
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