Keith Wyness reveals ‘the only option’ for Harvey Elliott after calamitous Aston Villa spell
Harvey Elliott may be forced to sacrifice the second half of the season amid his exclusion from Unai Emery’s and Arne Slot’s plans.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who has given his verdict on Elliott’s ‘difficult‘ situation at Aston Villa.
Elliott’s season-long loan at Aston Villa from Liverpool could be terminated in January, with the 22-year-old having appeared just five times under Emery.
Liverpool could sell Elliott in January with interest in the midfielder from clubs in the Bundesliga and Serie A.
Harvey Elliott would be a great acquisition
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – states that Elliott cannot be loaned out again this season having already played for two clubs this campaign.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness has been left surprised by his current situation at Aston Villa.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, the regulations mean you can only play for two clubs in a season. So he’s already played for Liverpool once and Aston Villa. So he’s got to come back to Liverpool. That’s really the only option that’s there. And I think Arne Slot would have loved to have had him on his bench in a couple of games recently.
“And so I think that’s what’s pointing to him coming back to Liverpool in some way. It’s a very difficult situation for the boy, very difficult. And I know that if he does come back, he probably would be benched and probably not be getting the game time. He can’t go anywhere else on loan, it looks like.
“So it’s going to be him sitting out the second part of the season. I think there’s a real player in there, a real talent. I’ve always rated Harvey Elliott. I’m surprised that, you know, Emery hasn’t been able to integrate him into the squad.
“But then again, you know, players like Morgan Rogers in midfield as well, Tielemans, et cetera. It’s been difficult to find a spot for him. But I do think particularly at clubs that may be coming up from next season. I think he’d be a great acquisition.
“And if he does come back, I hope Arne Slot does find a way to use him and give him some space because, if you remember, it wasn’t long ago he was being tipped for England in the World Cup. But I think Harvey will find his way back to Liverpool in some way and then go on from there.”
Jadon Sancho to join Harvey Elliott out of Villa Park
Jadon Sancho has also failed to have an impact at Aston Villa since he joined on a season-long loan from Man United.
Sancho could depart Aston Villa in January so Emery can have the funds available to sign players ahead of a huge second half of the season.
Aston Villa are currently in the Premier League title race, and the club would benefit from qualifying for the Champions League due to their issues with PSR.