Harvey Elliott moved to Aston Villa during the summer transfer window in search of regular playing time after struggling to secure minutes at Liverpool. The 22-year-old, known for his versatility, found opportunities limited under Arne Slot last season, prompting a loan move to Villa, where Unai Emery appeared ready to give him a fresh start.
So far, however, Elliott has struggled to make a significant impact, appearing in just seven games and scoring once, with only four of those appearances in the Premier League. This has sparked speculation that he could be back at Liverpool as early as January. Although Villa are contractually obligated to make the deal permanent for £35 million, circumstances may shift before then.
Former Aston Villa CEO Keith Wyness spoke about Elliott on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, saying, “I’m surprised because I rate him highly, but it seems he just hasn’t convinced Emery. There’s a theory that if he reaches ten appearances, the obligation to buy becomes active. Liverpool may want him back, so if he doesn’t hit that number, a return could be on the cards. Many Liverpool fans I’ve spoken to would prefer seeing Elliott play rather than some of the new, expensive signings.”
With Villa struggling to unlock Elliott’s potential and Liverpool facing a shortage of midfield options, a January recall is increasingly plausible. While it’s still unclear whether letting him go was the right decision, Elliott’s return could provide a valuable boost to Arne Slot’s squad
