'Don't get me started' - Ex-scout hits out after Aston Villa sign 'Harvey Elliott MK II'

Alejandro Garnacho's struggle for minutes at Aston Villa since completing his loan move from Chelsea bears some similarities to the Harvey Elliott case last season.

That is the opinion of former senior Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 22-year-old joined Villa on loan with a conditional obligation to buy for around £42million next summer, but is yet to start and has not even made it off the bench for four consecutive games.

Elliott arrived from Liverpool last summer in similar circumstances - on loan with a £35m conditional obligation to buy.

But Unai Emery appeared to make his mind up quickly on the 23-year-old and he would ultimately make just nine appearances throughout the season, failing to reach the conditions of the permanent move.

It remains to be seen whether a similar path is taken in the case of Garnacho, but it has been reported that there is no exit clause in the deal for either sides in January.

'Where's the problem' with Alejandro Garnacho?

Elliott has since expressed no hard feelings for Villa and Emery, but the move was undoubtedly detrimental for his career.

The 23-year-old was coming off the back of a superb Under-21 European Championship campaign and huge interest, with Villa Park appearing an ideal destination.

12 months on, Elliott is on loan with Valencia, with a view at leaving Liverpool permanently next summer.

"Don't get me started. I never fancied Harvey Elliott coming to Aston Villa," King told Football Insider. "He's not, he wasn't, an Aston Villa player.

"And I think I was proven right by that because they didn't take the agreement up. Garnacho is on loan with an obligation. I watched him. He's a very talented footballer. There's no doubt about that."

He continued: "So, where's the problem? Is it his attitude? Is it the way he is in training? Is it the way he is at the football club? 

"Why is he not one of the first names on the team sheet with his experience? I'd be interested to see exactly what goes on there in the next three or four games."

What Unai Emery said about Harvey Elliott loan

Emery's comments suggest that he would not repeat the Elliott situation, but it cannot be ruled out.

"To now explain about the reason for this decision is very difficult, or it is easy, but it is not the moment," the Spaniard said in May.

"My apologies for Harvey Elliott are, every day, in my mind. We have our responsibility and Liverpool have their responsibility. How the season has gone has been difficult."

Garnacho now has the international break to impress Emery and make sure that he does not become the next Elliott.