Harvey Elliott, the 22-year-old midfielder on loan from Liverpool, faces a challenge to secure his long-term future at Aston Villa, with manager Unai Emery publicly urging him to prove his worth. Despite arriving at Villa Park with an obligation to buy for £35 million if certain appearance-related conditions are met, Elliott has struggled to break into the first team, leading to speculation about his future with the club.
Elliott's limited game time has been a concern, with only two starts and several matches as an unused substitute. He was notably absent from the squad in Villa's recent 1-0 victory against Manchester City. Emery has acknowledged Elliott's efforts in training but emphasized that his performances in matches haven't met the team's needs.
The competition for the number 10 role is fierce, with players like Emiliano Buendia, Morgan Rogers, and Ross Barkley currently ahead of Elliott in the pecking order. Emery highlighted the strong performances of these players as a reason for Elliott's limited opportunities. Despite the competition, Emery has encouraged Elliott to persevere, stating that his commitment is "fantastic" and that he remains a "very good player".
"He is training well, and he played some matches, but the performances weren't what we needed," Emery said. "Some players are playing as a number 10, and they are playing well, like Buendia and Rogers, also Ross Barkley after he was out". Emery stressed that the demands at Aston Villa are high, and Elliott needs time to adapt and wait for his moment.
Elliott's omission from the squad against Manchester City has sparked speculation about whether Villa will trigger the clause to make his move permanent. Reports suggest that Villa may be looking at other attacking options, potentially further impacting Elliott's future at the club. He has managed just 167 minutes of playing time since joining Aston Villa.
Despite the challenges, Elliott is reportedly determined to turn his situation around. Fabrizio Romano reported that Elliott is unhappy with his limited playing time but is focused on improving and convincing Emery of his abilities.
Elliott joined Villa on deadline day in September, with the club rounding off their summer transfer activity by securing the young midfielder. Upon signing, Elliott expressed his excitement and posed for photos in claret and blue, but his dream start has somewhat faded.
According to whoscored.com, Elliott's strengths include crossing, holding onto the ball, passing, key passes, long shots and through balls. However, his statistics for Aston Villa this season show that he has yet to score a goal in the Premier League. In four appearances, he has taken three shots, none of which were on target.
With Aston Villa competing in both the Premier League and Europa League, opportunities may arise for Elliott to prove himself. However, he faces a tough challenge to displace the in-form players currently occupying the attacking midfield positions. The upcoming matches will be crucial for Elliott to demonstrate his capabilities and convince Unai Emery that he has a future at Aston Villa.
