Harvey Elliott divides opinion but unhappy Aston Villa move leaves no winners

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Unai Emery, meanwhile, will not face questions about why he has not picked a signing who, if his loan becomes permanent, will become Aston Villa’s biggest buy of 2026.Elliott did not play at Anfield much last season, either. He started 27 games in the German’s valedictory campaign.

He seemed part of Klopp’s legacy. And he has spent the last 16 months of his club career under Arne Slot and Emery, managers who do not seem to rate him; or not highly enough, anyway.Elliott’s £35m move to Aston Villa would only turn permanent if certain conditions are met (Getty Images)Emery excluded Elliott from the matchday squad for Sunday’s win over Manchester City.

He scored Villa’s belated first goal of the season, at Brentford in the Carabao Cup, but his lone league start, at Fulham in September, was curtailed at half-time in September.Emery’s explanation was tactical. But he did indicate he can be a player of substance, showing he both possesses creativity and the ability to be a terrific substitute: his Parc des Princes winner against Paris Saint-Germain came in a cameo.Elliott struggled for opportunities under Slot during Liverpool’s title-winning season (Getty Images)It made him look a talented player in search of the right club and manager.