This week, Emery admitted that Villa decided against signing Elliott permanently two months ago. The former Villarreal boss had sympathy for his situation but still delivered a brutally honest take.
He told reporters: "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. 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 as well some players with more experience. But with the players we have, how they are performing and getting their level, 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. 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."