Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been asked to give an update on Harvey Elliott's situation
Harvey Elliott reacts
Harvey Elliott has struggled for game time at Aston Villa(Image: Dan Mullan, Getty Images)
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Unai Emery says Harvey Elliott’s situation has not changed despite his return to the matchday squad.
The 22-year-old hasn’t played for Villa since the 2-0 win over Feyenoord in October and has featured only three times in the Premier League this season.
If he makes 10 appearances for Villa during the campaign, the club will be obliged to pay £35 million to sign him permanently from Liverpool.
Villa decided months ago that they would not take up the option to sign Elliott, but after his return to the squad against Newcastle, there were suggestions that the club might have moved to remove the appearance-based obligation in the loan agreement.
However, Emery has poured cold water on that theory, despite confirming that Elliott will once again be in the squad against Salzburg on Thursday.
“Still there are five days to finish the window. Everything we said before, only injuries can change it, like Luiz is a player joining us because of central midfield injuries," Emery said when asked about Elliott's situation.
“With Harvey, it is not changing. We have our idea. I spoke with Harvey clearly. I said before that he is a fantastic guy.
“He was on the bench against Newcastle on Sunday and was there if we needed help from him, he was ready to play.
“Tomorrow he is in the squad as well. He is involved in the squad tomorrow, but it is not changing the situation he has now.”
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