Harvey Elliott handed fresh Aston Villa blow amid clear Liverpool transfer reality
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Harvey Elliott hasn't featured in Aston Villa's last nine Premier League matches during his loan spell from reigning champions Liverpool.Harvey Elliott has been dealt another setback as his loan stint away from Liverpool continues to go against plan. The Reds' midfielder left Anfield during the summer transfer window for a loan spell at Villa Park.Elliott's move also comes with an obligation-to-buy clause, for Villa, valued at £35million.
However, it's suggested that this will only be activated if Elliott makes 10 appearances for Villa, a prospect that seems increasingly unlikely with each passing matchday.Saturday saw Villa take on Arsenal in an early kick-off at Villa Park, where the hosts clinched a 2-1 victory over the Premier League leaders, courtesy of goals from Matty Cash and Emi Buendia. Villa boss Unai Emery did not include Elliott in the matchday squad, a recurring theme this season.READ MORE: Mo Salah on Liverpool bench AGAIN as Arne Slot makes Alexander Isak call vs LeedsREAD MORE: Antoine Semenyo ready for 'the next step' amid Man Utd and Liverpool transfer interestElliott has been absent from Villa's last nine Premier League games, and hasn't even made the matchday squad in their last seven top-flight games.It has sparked rumours that Elliott could depart Villa when the January transfer window opens.
However, having already played for Liverpool earlier in the season, along with his five appearances for Villa, Elliott won't be able to sign for another club during the January window.Consequently, should Elliott leave Villa, his only possible destination would be a return to Liverpool.Arne Slot was questioned about Elliott's limited game-time at Villa, with the Reds' head coach acknowledging he hasn't discussed the 22-year-old's circumstances at Villa Park with him."I haven't had contact with him a lot, I think only once or twice, and that was before he'd played Feyenoord away and after," Slot said."But that had more to do with him playing against a former club of mine, so no, I haven't spoken to him."I am aware of his situation, of course. I knew how difficult it already was for him over here, so I think I know how he feels at this moment, but you should ask those questions at Villa, and not over here when it's about his playing time."Villa's next Premier League match will see them take on West Ham next weekend, which will be followed by a tough fixtures list over Christmas and the New Year.Emery's team have matches against Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest over the next few weeks, and it remains to be seen if Elliott will get minutes across that run of games.Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content.