Harvey Elliott has played just 110 minutes of Premier League football for Aston Villa this season, with Unai Emery insisting both clubs played a part in the midfielder's limited role
Harvey Elliott and Unai Emery
Harvey Elliott and Unai Emery in Aston Villa training(Image: PA)
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Unai Emery has maintained that Harvey Elliott's limited playing time this season was down to both Aston Villa and Liverpool safeguarding their respective interests.
The 23-year-old has featured for just 110 minutes of Premier League football this campaign, largely as a result of Emery deciding early on that he had no intention of signing Elliott on a permanent basis.
Villa would have been obliged to pay £35million to secure Elliott from Liverpool had he made 10 Premier League appearances. Nevertheless, he has also seen limited action in the Europa League.
By the January transfer window, Villa were eager to strip away the conditions tied to the agreement and instead pursue a straightforward loan, which would have given Emery greater freedom in selecting Elliott. Liverpool, however, were unwilling to change the terms of the deal.
That stance was driven primarily by Villa emerging as a direct competitor to Liverpool. As Liverpool's title challenge began to falter at the turn of the year, their attention switched to securing a top-five finish.
Elliott will now head back to Liverpool this summer following a turbulent spell at Villa, though Emery has spoken warmly of the midfielder's professionalism throughout the ordeal.
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"I explained it at the beginning of the season, when we decided how we needed to manage his situation as a player, as a person as well," Emery said. "Of course, as a person, it is a difficult season for him because he is not playing matches. We got this responsibility when we signed him, but then Liverpool had their responsibility when we were speaking in December, January, in the transfer window.
"And of course, each club has their responsibility and has their decision. One thing is clear - I always spoke with him, being honest always, and of course, he's a fantastic guy, a fantastic guy.
"Hopefully, he can continue his career and get his best, because he's a fantastic guy. He deserved it. His attitude is fantastic every day, and the respect he has for me and for the team-mates is really fantastic."
Harvey Elliott in Aston Villa gear
Harvey Elliott has hardly featured for Aston Villa(Image: Nigel French/Allstar, Getty Images)
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Emery is still without a Premier League victory against Liverpool, recording four draws and six defeats from his 10 encounters with the Reds.
A win on this occasion would carry considerable importance, as it would seal Champions League qualification for Villa. Their focus would then shift to Wednesday night's Europa League final against SC Freiburg.
"Yes, it is normal because they are a fantastic team. When we [Sevilla] beat them, then it was the first year with Klopp. They were favourites and we could beat them, which was something fantastic in that moment.
"Then how they progressed in the Premier League and how they are performing, being at the top level, it is very difficult to compete against them.
"It would be something not normal if we were beating them normally. They are beating us more than we are beating them. With the process we are in, it is not a surprise."
Asked if he would rotate his team, with the Istanbul final looming, Emery said: "The Premier League has been the priority and will still be the priority because we are going to play the final, and we have now a 50 per cent chance to win the title and play in the Champions League.
"Through the league is the first priority because we are involved clearly for fourth position with Liverpool, and we can even lose fifth because behind us are Bournemouth and Brighton with chances to get us.
"Of course, it is something very important to finish the season with the highest target we set at the beginning of the season. Our ambition is to play Champions League next year. It is something we must try to get through different ways we have.
"Tomorrow is the first one, it is the Premier League, it is Liverpool. It is something we can feel as a special day because Liverpool last year won the Premier League, and this year we are on the same points, with more or less the same players. It is something which makes me happy, how we are competing."