Harvey Elliott moved to Aston Villa from Liverpool during the summer transfer window in search of more playing time, which he lacked at Anfield.
The 22-year-old, a versatile talent, was underused by Arne Slot last season, prompting him to consider leaving Liverpool. Unai Emery appeared to offer a fresh start when he brought Elliott to Villa on a loan deal.
However, after seven appearances and just one goal so far, Elliott is struggling to make an impact and revive his career. This season, he has only featured in four Premier League games, sparking speculation that he could return to Liverpool as early as January.
While Villa are obligated to make Elliott’s move permanent for £35 million, circumstances could change sooner than expected. Former Aston Villa CEO Keith Wyness shared insights on Elliott’s situation on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast:
“I’m surprised because I think he’s a good player, but he hasn’t quite caught Emery’s eye. There’s also a big theory circulating — he’s on loan, and if he reaches 10 games, it triggers the obligation to buy. There’s talk that Liverpool want him back, so if the loan isn’t completed as planned, he could return to Anfield. Many Liverpool fans I’ve spoken to would rather see Elliott on the pitch than some of the other expensive new signings.”
Emery has struggled to get the best out of Elliott so far, and with Villa’s current situation, a January return to Liverpool could be possible. Not only is Elliott finding it tough at Villa, but Liverpool are also facing a lack of midfield depth — something Elliott contributed effectively last season from the bench.
Whether Liverpool made a mistake letting him go is still uncertain, but one thing is clear: Slot’s squad would benefit from having Elliott in the lineup.
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