Harvey Elliott was a surprise inclusion in Aston Villa's squad to take on Newcastle, with the Liverpool loanee earning his first call-up to Unai Emery's side since November
James Findlater Content Editor
14:35, 25 Jan 2026
Jamie Carragher speaks on Sky Sports' Premier League coverage
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has spoken out on Harvey Elliott's difficult situation whilst on loan to Aston Villa this season(Image: Sky Sports)
Jamie Carragher admits he feels sorry for Harvey Elliott, but doesn’t expect his move to Aston Villa from Liverpool to be made permanent.
Elliott was a surprise inclusion in Unai Emery’s squad against Newcastle on Sunday. It was the first time the England U21 international had been named in a Villa matchday group since November 27, while his last appearance for the club came back in October.
The 22-year-old made the move on loan to the Midlands on deadline day of the summer transfer window, with Liverpool having expected the deal to be made permanent after inserting an obligation for Villa to pay £35 million ($47 million) once Elliott made 10 appearances.
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The switch has not worked out in any way for Elliott though, with the midfielder finding himself frozen out of Emery’s squad for the majority of the season so far.
Despite the small number of appearances needed, Elliott has only played five times for Villa so far, with Emery even admitting that the club is not convinced on signing him permanently.
That has left Elliott in a difficult position, with Liverpool boss Arne Slot showing little interest in recalling him either, and having made an appearance for the Reds at the start of the season, he is unable to move to a third club this month.
Harvey Elliott has made just five appearances since joining Aston Villa on loan
Harvey Elliott has made just five appearances since joining Aston Villa on loan(Image: Getty Images)
“He was one of those players that came in on the last day of the window alongside Jadon Sancho and [Victor] Lindelof at the back,” former Liverpool defender Carragher told Sky Sports. “The guy who brings them in I think leaves a few days later, Monchi.
“Unai Emery’s probably not best pleased, they’re probably not his type of players, he hasn’t really used them.
“He [Elliott] used to be brilliant at Liverpool for a few years off the bench, he could make an impact from there, and it’ll be really interesting to see whether he uses him today. I don’t think he will.”
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Carragher added: “Aston Villa aren’t going to pay that. He may bring him on three or four times between now and the end of the season, but he certainly won’t bring him on five times, because that’s when it clicks."
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Host Mark Chapman responded: “That’s horrible for the player though, isn’t it?
Carragher replied: “It is, but listen, that’s the ruthless nature of football, and if the manager doesn’t fancy the player, and he doesn’t think he can add to what he’s got, are the club going to spend whatever it is, I think it’s 25-30 million? He thinks he can do something else with that in the summer.
“I understand where Unai Emery’s coming from as well, but I really feel for the young lad because I almost feel like he’s wasted a season of his career.”