Does Harvey Elliott have a future at Aston Villa? That has been a big question for much of the 2025/26 season already.
Villa completed a deal to sign the Liverpool midfielder on loan in the summer transfer window, with an obligation to make the move permanent for £35million if certain conditions were met.
However, Elliott has not looked like being part of manager Unai Emery's plans, managing five appearances in September and October and not being seen again since returning to the fold at the end of January. They even explored the possibility of cutting his loan short and sending him back to Liverpool.
Unai Emery Stands By Harvey Elliott Decision
Unai Emery
The condition for the £35million permanent signing was that Elliott played ten games for Villa, something Emery said would not happen.
“We decided two months ago that we are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we would need to," Emery said.
Aston Villa have the burden of Squad Cost Rules hanging over them and have been careful in the transfer market as a result of those financial concerns.
However, Elliott played in the UEFA Europa League against RB Salzburg on January 29 and then came off the bench to take on Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday, taking his appearance total to seven for the season. Three more games and Villa will have to stump up the £35million to sign him permanently.
Injuries Are Piling Up For Aston Villa
John McGinn celebrating after scoring for Aston Villa against Bologna
Emery reiterated his stance on the midfielder following the win over Salzburg - during which Elliott played the full 90 minutes.
"His situation doesn't change," Emery said, bluntly. "He played a fantastic game today but our idea with him doesn't change."
Villa had hoped to bring in a midfielder during the January transfer window, to cover their injuries, but were not able to do so.
Emery has Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans on the injury list, with none of the trio due back before April. And Villa's failure to add to the squad before the transfer window closed leaves the Spaniard in a quandary over Elliott's future.
Villa explored a move to sign Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid, but were gazumped by Tottenham for the 25-year-old. They also explored a late opportunity to sign Everton midfielder James Garner, as revealed by the Athletic.
Everton Scupper Transfer Move And Former Chelsea Man Linked
Everton midfielder James Garner in action
Everton, however, shut the door on any attempts to prise the 24-year-old away from Merseyside, by getting him to sign a new contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. He had entered the final six months of his contract, which had piqued Villa's interest late in the window.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was another name considered for a move, but not one that went anywhere and the lack of transfer activity, coupled with the injury problems, means Elliott could be handed a lifeline. But that requires Emery - and probably the Aston Villa board - to change their minds and sanction a £35million spend.
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