Harvey Elliott has travelled with the Aston Villa squad ahead of their Premier League clash at Newcastle on Sunday, marking a potential return to the fold for the Liverpool loanee who hasn’t featured since October. It’s a small but intriguing development in what’s been a frustrating spell at Villa Park for the talented midfielder.
You have to feel for the kid a bit. Elliott arrived on a season-long loan from Liverpool last summer, with plenty of hype around how he’d fit into Unai Emery’s ambitious side pushing for Champions League spots. At 22, he’s got that blend of creativity, work rate, and English flair that clubs love.
Early doors, he got a few cameos – seven appearances in total, if you count the cups – but then nothing. Zilch since the autumn. He’s been training away, keeping sharp, but watching from the stands or the bench as Villa marched on without him.
The big elephant in the room? That loan deal reportedly includes an obligation for Villa to buy him permanently for around £35 million if he makes 10 appearances this season. Emery himself touched on it recently, saying the club had to be careful because triggering that clause wasn’t part of the plan right now.
They’re chasing other targets, like Ruben Loftus-Cheek from AC Milan, and freeing up space – and cash – makes sense. Reports swirled earlier this week that Villa were actively working to cut the loan short and send him back to Anfield in January. Liverpool fans were split: some wanted him home to fight for minutes under Arne Slot; others figured he needed more games elsewhere to develop.
Then there’s the MLS angle. Charlotte FC, coached by former Villa boss Dean Smith, made no secret of their interest. Smith confirmed it publicly, talking up how Elliott could get regular minutes in Major League Soccer and thrive in their setup.
It’s a growing league, with big ambitions, and a move stateside could have been a fresh start – think guaranteed football, new surroundings, maybe even a path back to the England setup. But Elliott, by all accounts, isn’t biting. He’s turned down any overtures so far, keen to stay in Europe and prove himself at the top level. Can’t blame him; at his age, the Premier League pedigree matters.
Travelling with the squad to St James’ Park feels like a thaw in relations. Emery included him in the travelling party, and while no one’s guaranteeing he’ll start – or even get off the bench – against a tough Newcastle side, it’s progress.
Villa are flying high, but midfield options have been stretched with injuries and rotations. Maybe this is Emery giving him a look-in, testing the waters without committing to that 10th appearance. Or perhaps it’s just about squad harmony – keeping everyone involved during a busy period.
From Elliott’s perspective, it’s got to be encouraging. He’s posted the odd training clip on social media, looking focused, and Liverpool will be monitoring closely. If he gets minutes on Sunday, it could reignite his season. A goal, an assist, some of that trademark darting run – and suddenly the narrative shifts. If not, the January rumours will crank up again.
Villa fans have mixed feelings too. Some reckon he never quite fit Emery’s high-intensity system; others think he just needed more trust. The team’s results haven’t suffered without him, but depth is key in a long campaign. Newcastle away is no gimme – Eddie Howe’s lot are gritty at home, pressing like mad – so any extra body with quality could help.
Whatever happens at the weekend, this story’s got legs. Elliott’s too good to be sitting around indefinitely. Liverpool rate him highly; he’s already got senior England caps in the bank.
Whether he sees out the loan, heads back early, or forces his way into Emery’s plans – it’s one to watch. For now, though, packing his bags for the trip north is a step in the right direction. Football moves fast, and a single game can change everything. Let’s see if Sunday brings that spark for Harvey Elliott.
