Harvey Elliott's future has taken an unexpected twist, with the Liverpool loanee's move to Aston Villa having turned into a nightmare after making just five appearances so far
Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter
09:37, 25 Jan 2026
Harvey Elliott claps the fans
Harvey Elliott has made just five appearances for Aston Villa so far(Image: Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)
Harvey Elliott has been handed a lifeline at Aston Villa after Unai Emery included the Liverpool loanee in his matchday squad against Newcastle United.
The 22-year-old joined the Midlands club on a season-long loan on deadline day last September in a move that excited both Premier League clubs. However, the move has been a disaster with Elliott having only featured in five games for the Villans this season.
The attacking midfielder last played for the club as a substitute in their Europa League clash against Feyenoord on October 2 and was last included in a matchday squad on November 27.
READ MORE: Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa 'tells Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave club this summer'READ MORE: Alisson ignores direct orders from Arne Slot as Liverpool failure proves costly
In a surprise move by Emery, he's added the England Under-21 international into his squad for their journey to St James' Park on Sunday afternoon. Injuries to Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn have left the Villa boss short of midfield options, resulting in Elliott's inclusion.
Elliott's move to Villa came with the agreement that the club would sign him for $47 million (£35M) on a permanent deal should he rack up 10 Premier League appearances.
With just four league games played, he's six short of a deal being made as Telegraph Sport reports that five of the appearances must be played in the second half of this season in order for the transfer to go through.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 4: Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool v Athletic Club Bilbao at Anfield on August 4, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Harvey Elliott has made just five appearances for Aston Villa this season(Image: Getty Images)
It was in December when Emery announced that Villa would not be making his deal permanent and revealed he made that decision just a month after he signed for the club.
"The problem we have with Harvey is that this year he is on loan, and in case he plays matches we must buy him," the Spaniard said. "We decided two months ago that we are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we would need to sign him.
"This is the only issue. He is training every day, always every day with very good behaviour and to help us in training sessions. This is not something good for him and good for us, but this is football and sometimes we must take some decisions which are not good for everyone."
Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kits
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
From $100
LFC.com
See the deal
Liverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.
Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot admitted last month that he has had minimal contact with Elliott and urged the media to direct questions regarding his midfielder to Emery instead of him.
Article continues below
The Dutchman said: "I haven’t had contact with him a lot, I think only once or twice, and that was before he played Feyenoord away and after.
"But that had more to do with him playing against a former club of mine, so no, I haven’t spoken to him. I am aware of his situation, of course. I knew how difficult it already was for him over here, so I think I know how he feels at this moment, but you should ask those questions at Villa, and not over here when it’s about his playing time."