Harvey Elliott’s season has turned into a long test of patience, belief, and timing.
For a player who left Liverpool to gain momentum, this campaign has instead become a lesson in how quickly football can stall.
Elliott arrived at Aston Villa with the promise of regular minutes and a chance to prove himself at Premier League level.
What he found was a stretch of weeks without appearances, followed by months without even making the matchday squad.
The numbers tell the story clearly. It has been more than 16 league games since Elliott last featured in the Premier League, while he has been absent from Villa’s squad in their last 14 top-flight matches.
For a 22-year-old who had just lifted the Under-21 European Championship with England and was named Player of the Tournament, this sudden silence has felt harsh.
From Liverpool’s perspective, it has been difficult to watch.
Elliott played 28 games for the Reds last season during a title-winning campaign, even if he started only six of those matches.
He left Anfield to play more football, not less. Yet his loan spell has done the opposite of what it was meant to do.
Speculation naturally followed. When a player is no longer involved, questions grow. Rumours spread. And when no clear path appears, new doors begin to open elsewhere.
That door appeared in North America.
Because Elliott made a brief one-minute appearance for Liverpool earlier in the season, he is not allowed to play for another Premier League club this campaign.
He also cannot join another European side. This left only one realistic route if he was to move again — outside Europe.
That is how links to MLS side Charlotte FC emerged, with former Villa boss Dean Smith now in charge of the American club.
Smith admitted the idea was considered, saying, “I put the feelers out when I was over there. I was thinking about it and thought there is an opportunity there.”
“If he’s not going to play for Villa and he can’t play anywhere else, then it would be an option for him to come and play some games before the World Cup break.”
However, with all the speculation surounding his future, Aston Vila has made a decsion ahead of theri clash with Newcastlr United on Sunday.
Harvey Elliott has travelled with the Aston Villa squad for Sunday’s match, despite being unused since October. At the same time, he has not opened the door to a move to the MLS, even with Charlotte’s interest.
Reports state that Elliott’s preference is to remain in England and fight for his place, either by forcing his way back into Unai Emery’s plans or by returning to Liverpool to provide squad depth for Arne Slot’s side.
For Liverpool, this keeps the story alive. Elliott is still young. He is still talented. And now, he has made it clear he is not ready to walk away from English football.
🚨🟣🔵 Harvey Elliott travelled with Aston Villa squad as he’s part of the team for Sunday game.
Unused since October, Elliott didn’t open doors to MLS move so far despite Charlotte FC approaches. pic.twitter.com/C4fbozzOoC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 24, 2026
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