Inside Harvey Elliott's nightmare at Aston Villa and why Liverpool haven't yet amended the terms of the loan agreement
Harvey Elliott of Aston Villa
Harvey Elliott of Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
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Harvey Elliott’s Aston Villa nightmare continues.
Signed on an initial loan from Liverpool on deadline day back in September, the playmaker has made only seven appearances under Unai Emery.
It is well documented that the reason for this is Emery’s decision, made months ago, not to take up the option to sign Elliott permanently.
Villa will be obliged to buy Elliott for £35 million if he plays 10 games for the club, meaning he can only feature twice more without triggering the clause.
A 10th appearance in claret and blue is therefore unlikely unless the terms of the loan agreement are changed.
For some time now, Villa have been keen to remove their obligation to buy Elliott, who could have been forgiven for reacting badly to the situation.
However, it is understood that the former Fulham youngster has conducted himself well at Bodymoor Heath. Although understandably frustrated by his season, he has not downed tools in training and has acted admirably as a professional.
Emery has already explained that the player is being “damaged” by the ordeal, pleading with Liverpool to remove the obligation and allow Villa to field him for the remainder of the season.
“I spoke with him. We have been fair because there are two ways: one way is a sport, the second is business,” Emery explained last week. “We'll be fair in case, because we are trying it, and I told him, we are opening the door to play with us, because he can help us.
“But it's not only in my way and on my side. The other side is Liverpool. If they take off the clauses to play matches and for us to buy him, (I said to him) 'you are going to play here with us, it's a sport decision.’
“But now it's a sport decision and a business decision. My sport decision is still there - 'you are deserving to play, we need your qualities in the field, you are going to play.'
“But in case the clauses are still there, now it is Liverpool - they have the key. And I told him, it will be fair for him in case Liverpool take off this clause.
"We are speaking about it (taking off the clause) but not (just) now. We started speaking about it three months ago. Of course, the transfer window finished on Monday.
“It will be fair for him, because he's a calm guy, good guy, and he's a fantastic professional. And then his qualities are there.
"Of course he must play, and he's really being patient. And I know we are damaging him, because we got a deal with Liverpool in the summer and the deal is there, and we are respecting the decision and taking the sporting decision responsibly from my side.
“It can change for him, in case Liverpool take off this clause. If they don't want to, okay, but the player is getting damaged.”
Villa have 13 league matches left this season, plus potentially seven more in the Europa League, and additional FA Cup rounds if they progress far in that competition.
One reason Liverpool are unlikely to simply allow Villa to field Elliott without any benefit to themselves is that the Reds are chasing them in the table.
If Villa were eight points ahead of Liverpool with 13 games to play, either Emery’s side would be leading the league, or this would represent one of the weaker title challenges in recent years.
Given that Liverpool are part of the chasing pack, essentially giving Villa a player to use in the final months of the campaign makes little sense unless there is a significant financial incentive.
Villa will likely have to pay a penalty for not meeting their obligation to buy Elliott, and any change to the terms allowing him to play without consequence would likely increase the fee further.
However, Elliott does not appear to have a future at Liverpool and is expected to move on in the summer. His transfer value decreases every week he doesn’t play.
Strong performances for Villa in the final part of the season, combined with a penalty fee, would likely net Liverpool a transfer fee close to the obligation fee they had already budgeted for.
One potential settlement could see Elliott only featuring in the Europa League and FA Cup, meaning Liverpool’s league campaign would remain unaffected.
The question, however, is whether Elliott fits into Villa’s structure enough to be trusted to start in a semi-final, for instance, in the Europa League.
His involvement in those matches would still benefit Villa, given the youthful options waiting in the wings, especially after recent injuries.
Liverpool may blame Villa for breaching the terms - or more accurately, the spirit - of the agreement, but ultimately, only they can prevent further “damage” to their asset in the coming weeks and months.
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