Liverpool's Harvey Elliott has lifted the lid on his season at Aston Villa
Harvey Elliott won the Europa League with Aston Villa
Harvey Elliott won the Europa League with Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
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Harvey Elliott insists he has no hard feelings towards Unai Emery or Aston Villa over his lack of game time last season.
The 23-year-old joined Villa on an initial season-long loan, with the deal set to become permanent if he made 10 Premier League appearances.
However, Emery decided early in the campaign that he did not want the club to trigger the £35 million obligation to buy, resulting in Elliott being frozen out of matchday squads and seeing very little action.
A testament to Elliott's character, he never kicked up a fuss despite the situation. Instead, he remained professional throughout, making just nine appearances in all competitions before ending the season as a Europa League winner.
Speaking of his move to Villa, Elliott told Liverpool reporters in the USA: “I wanted a new challenge. I wanted to explore something, come out of my comfort zone, and I thought that would take me on as a player. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out, but the way I see it is it’s kind of a second chance [at Liverpool], especially with the gaffer and new coaching staff coming in.
“It’s another chance to impress and hopefully get in their good books. But whatever happened last season, I wish Villa nothing but the very best. I had a lot of love for them and they treated me very well. I’m here now, and I’m trying to cement my spot in the team or within the squad.
He added: “I wouldn’t say it was a lost year because, at the end of it, I won the Europa League. To have that on my CV is incredible, especially with Villa. I saw with my own eyes how much it meant for them and I wouldn’t say it’s a lost year when you achieved something like that, because that’s selfish.
“It was a situation I couldn’t control. It was just a case of accepting it, and just trying to get my head clear and get myself in the best position to come back here, and I tried as hard as I could. I still feel like I can get better and I’m working as hard as I can to do that.”
“The whole club were very apologetic about the situation and, ultimately, it was a situation that I couldn’t control,” Elliott said. “But I knew 100% what the case was. It was like, ‘Ok, I can get over it, I know what the situation is now’.
“It was just about me handling it and showing my professionalism. I’m not that kind of guy who wanted to kick up a fuss and cause problems, because no one really deserves that. It’s just part of football and it was a learning curve for me and an opportunity that I hope I don’t experience again. But it’s a situation where I know I’ve been able to get through it.
“I’m really happy to be back and putting a Liverpool shirt on again. Playing at Liverpool, there’s no better feeling.”
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John Townley
John Townley
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