Harvey Elliott was reportedly left emotional after his Liverpool exit, with his move turning into an ongoing nightmare at Aston Villa

 

 

Harvey Elliott’s loan switch from Liverpool to Aston Villa has turned into a major disappointment, with the midfielder now expected to head back to Anfield when the January transfer window opens due to a severe lack of playing time.

The 22-year-old ended a six-year spell at Liverpool on deadline day, joining Villa on a season-long loan that includes a £35m obligation to buy if he makes 10 Premier League appearances. Reports claim Elliott was left emotional, even in tears, as he departed his boyhood club to complete the move.

Just three months later, the decision has not paid off. Elliott has featured only four times under Unai Emery and has not played since October 2. His last league outing was a 45-minute appearance against Fulham in September, and he has since been omitted from Villa’s matchday squad for seven consecutive league games. Emery has effectively signalled that Elliott’s time at Villa is coming to an early end.

What was initially seen as a smart piece of business has quickly unravelled, leaving Elliott facing an early return to Liverpool. If the loan is terminated, FIFA regulations mean he cannot join another club this season, making a return to Arne Slot’s squad his only option.

Emery recently confirmed that Villa have no intention of making the move permanent, explaining that Elliott has not contributed enough to justify a long-term deal, despite training well and being respected as both a player and person.

Ironically, Elliott’s potential return to Anfield would bring him back to the same problem that pushed him to leave — intense competition for attacking places. When explaining his decision to depart earlier in the season, Elliott stressed the need for regular minutes to continue his development, even if it meant leaving a club he still loves deeply.

However, circumstances may now offer him a fresh opportunity. With Cody Gakpo injured and Mohamed Salah set to be away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Elliott could yet find an opening to re-establish himself at Liverpool if he does return in January.