Unai Emery looking concerned in the direction of Harvey Elliott.
Credit: Imago
Jacob Raw
Thu 29 January 2026 20:51, UK
Harvey Elliott’s time at Aston Villa continues to prove unfortunate, despite a rare start against RB Salzburg on Thursday.
Villa hosted Salzburg in the Europa League, as Unai Emery decided to shuffle his starting side around.
The Spaniard chose to start youngster George Hemmings from the off with Boubacar Kamara still injured, while Victor Lindelof came back into the starting lineup.
Elliott’s Villa future has been in doubt ever since he walked through the doors at B6, but Emery decided to give him another chance against Salzburg.
However, it could be one of the last times that the Liverpool loanee plays at Villa Park.
Martin Keown felt bad for Harvey Elliott after miss vs RB Salzburg
There have been suggestions that Elliott could return to Liverpool, but as things stand, the Englishman is set to stay at Villa Park until the end of the season.
MORE VILLA STORIES
The Villans have an obligation to buy the 22-year-old if specific performance-related bonuses are met.
Villa have a £35million obligation to buy Elliott
It will only be triggered if he makes 10 appearances for the Villans
Just inside the first 30 seconds of the match, Ollie Watkins’ long-range effort was saved by Alexander Schlager, as Elliott was unable to convert from just a couple of yards out on the rebound.
While speaking live on TNT Sports, Martin Keown detailed his disbelief and sorrow at the attacker’s miss, before Salzburg scored to lead at the break.
Keown said: “Incredible, I think it hit his [Schlager’s] heels as he dives over it. Remarkable save.
“I mean, how’s your luck? It’s Elliott. It would have been a fantastic appearance for him, because he hasn’t had many.”
Harvey Elliott's miss in numbers against Salzburg.
Credit: Imago
Elliott’s miss totalled an expected goal rate of 0.59, as the chance went down as a big chance missed.
Schlager made three saves in the first half and prevented 0.61 goals from the shots on target.
George Hemmings made a real first-half impression
Aston Villa are going to have to find solutions to Kamara’s injury, and Hemmings could be the answer.
The youngster won four ground duels and completed 100 per cent of his dribbles in the first 45.
Duels won 4/8
Dribbles complete 1/1
Tackles 2
Touches 28
Hemming’s first-half stats vs Salzburg
The 18-year-old was thrown in against a side that is fighting tooth and nail to stay in the Europa League, and he didn’t look out of place.
Emery didn’t have much to cheer about in the first half, especially with Watkins leaving the pitch early and Elliott’s miss adding insult to injury.
However, Hemmings was a shining light.
Stay ahead of the action — subscribe toVilla News on Substack for more exclusive insights and match-day analysis.