Harvey Elliott: Unai Emery accepts Aston Villa are 'damaging' Liverpool loanee over loan terms - but says Arne Slot's side hold key to his future

[ad_1] Unai Emery says Aston Villa have been negotiating with Liverpool "for 3 months" over the phrases of Harvey Elliott's mortgage, in an try and try to use the midfielder extra extensively within the last levels of the season.

The England U21 worldwide joined Villa on Deadline Day in September on a mortgage with an obligation to purchase primarily based on appearances made this season.

Elliott didn't characteristic between October 2 and Villa's last Europa League league-phase match towards RB Salzburg final month. He has now made a complete of seven appearances for Villa.

A everlasting deal is triggered on 10 appearances, together with 5 within the second half of the season.

Emery accepts Villa have "broken" Elliott through the use of him so sparingly however believes the participant does need to characteristic extra for his workforce as they proceed to combat on three fronts this season.

"I spoke with him. We've been truthful as a result of there are two methods," mentioned Emery.

"A method is sport, the second is enterprise. We'll be truthful in case, as a result of we try it and I instructed him, I spoke a couple of occasions with Harvey.

<img class="sdc-article-image__item" loading="lazy" intrinsicsize="768x432" src="https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/768x432/skysports-elliott-villa_7157614.jpg?20260206162619" srcset="https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/384x216/skysports-elliott-villa_7157614.jpg?20260206162619 380w, https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/768x432/skysports-elliott-villa_7157614.jpg?20260206162619 760w, https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/1600x900/skysports-elliott-villa_7157614.jpg?20260206162619 1024w, https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/2048x1152/skysports-elliott-villa_7157614.jpg?20260206162619 2048w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw" alt="Elliott has been used just seven times by Villa this season" data-testid="article-image-image"/> Picture: Elliott has been used simply seven occasions by Villa this season "Now I'm opening the door to play with us, as a result of he may also help us, but it surely's not solely on my facet.

"The opposite facet is Liverpool, if they're taking off the clauses they've, to play matches and for us to purchase him obligatory.

"[I said to him] 'you will play right here with us, it is a sport choice'. However now it is a sport choice and a enterprise choice.

"My sport choice continues to be there - 'you might be deserving to play, we'd like your qualities within the discipline, you will play'. However in case, the clauses are nonetheless there and now it's Liverpool - they've the important thing."

The winter switch window closed on Monday with Villa capable of signal Tammy Abraham from Besiktas, with Douglas Luiz arriving on mortgage from Juventus and Leon Bailey recalled from his mortgage spell with Roma.

Villa are capable of proceed renegotiating with Liverpool outdoors the window, however Emery does settle for although that in the end the Premier League champions have the ultimate say as as to if a compromise may be reached.

"We're talking about it [taking off the clause] however not now. We began talking about it three months in the past. In fact, the switch window was completed on Monday.

"It will likely be truthful for him, as a result of he is a relaxed man, good man, and he is a implausible skilled. After which his qualities are there.

"In fact he should play, and he is actually being passionate and I do know we're damaging him, as a result of we bought a cope with Liverpool in the summertime and the deal is there, and we're taking the choice responsibly from my facet.