Harvey Elliott was named in a Premier League matchday squad for the first time since October this weekend, though Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was never likely to use him
Harvey Elliott was back in the Aston Villa matchday squad.
Harvey Elliott was back in the Aston Villa matchday squad.(Image: Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
In a way, this was progress for Harvey Elliott. He was at least on the bench to watch the game as Aston Villa won at Newcastle United, further cementing its top-four status.
The Liverpool loanee had been left out entirely for the last two months. And so while Elliott didn't come on at St James' Park, and in truth was never likely to, that Unai Emery had him there to fill a space on the bench was marginally better than nothing.
That is the situation that Elliott finds himself in at the moment, despite the 22-year-old being good enough to start for at least half of the teams in the Premier League. His chances have been limited to almost zero.
Elliott's loan has not worked out for anyone so far. The player wanted more regular game time and he has ended up being used even less than had he stayed at Liverpool, while Aston Villa doesn't want it to become a permanent arrangement.
"That’s the ruthless nature of football," Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports ahead of Villa playing Newcastle on Sunday.
"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.
Harvey Elliott of Aston Villa
(Image: Getty Images)
"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."
Elliott has not even made the bench for Aston Villa in the Premier League since mid-October. The last time he played for the Midlands side in the league was in September.
Amid interest from MLS, it is understandable that Elliott would be reluctant. It would be a major step down for him in terms of the level at which he would be operating.
But at the same time, his hands might be tied. Having already played for two teams in the Premier League, Liverpool and Aston Villa, he cannot move somewhere else in Europe in this window.
Content Image
Content Image
Aside from the US, he could either move to Saudi Arabia, or return to Anfield. For that to happen, though, Aston Villa would need to initiate talks, which has so far not happened.
It would be a crying shame if Elliott stayed out in the cold at Villa Park for the remainder of the campaign. As Carragher said, what a waste of a year that would be.
Given he has done it for the majority of the season to date, there is no reason to doubt Emery's assessment that things won't change is anything but honest.
But ultimately, Elliott deserves better. he has been unfortunate in making a choice that has backfired, but his next step could define the rest of his career — and so the pressure is on to ensure it is the right one.