Harvey Elliott’s time at Aston Villa might be shorter than expected, as a surprising clause in his deal could see him return to Liverpool sooner than planned.
Elliott joined Villa Park from Anfield on deadline day in a loan arrangement that included a mandatory £35 million purchase option — but only if he makes at least ten appearances across all competitions this season.
So far, the 22-year-old has featured in just five matches. Recently, he has been left out of the squad for key games against Burnley and Tottenham and was again named on the bench for the Europa League fixture against Go Ahead Eagles. His last appearance came as a substitute in Villa’s 2–1 victory over Feyenoord on October 2.
These omissions have sparked speculation among supporters, with some suggesting that manager Unai Emery might be deliberately managing Elliott’s playing time to avoid triggering the clause. Fans on social media have pointed out that his limited minutes seem unusually calculated.
Reports indicate that Villa had initially pursued West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá before opting for Elliott, who had impressed during the U21 European Championship with standout performances in the semifinal and final.
Despite showing determination and flashes of creativity, Elliott’s role at Villa remains uncertain. If his playing time continues to dwindle, Liverpool could soon find themselves welcoming the young midfielder back to Anfield earlier than anyone anticipated.
Whether his Villa spell is nearing an abrupt end remains to be seen — but Elliott’s situation is one to watch closely in the coming weeks
