Liverpool have ‘massive’ Harvey Elliott concerns, Unai Emery ‘not happy’
Harvey Elliott left Liverpool during the summer in search of increased playing time but has struggled since agreeing a loan move to Aston Villa.
Unai Emery’s side lost 2-0 to Liverpool last time out and have endured a difficult start to the Premier League season so far despite a recent run of good form.
Villa are 11th in the league table as things stand, with four wins from ten games and concerns lingering after what was a shocking start at Villa Park.
Despite those struggles, Elliott has failed to make an impact on the manager’s plans and remains on the fringes of the squad despite initial high hopes for his loan spell.
Elliott was dropped out of the squad against Man City, meaning the 22-year-old has not played a single minute of the Midlands side’s last four games across all competitions.
Liverpool concerned about Harvey Elliott at Aston Villa
Football Insider revealed on 28 October that Elliott will struggle to return to Emery’s plans given the strength of the rivals for his position.
This is now becoming a concern for Liverpool, who had expected him to make a permanent move to Villa Park but could now be set to welcome him back to Anfield.
That is according to former Aston Villa and Man United senior scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the England Under-21 international is having a difficult time at Villa.
“Harvey Elliott is in a difficult situation at Aston Villa,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s not playing at the moment, he hasn’t impressed at all since going there.
“He’s gone to Villa on loan with a view to that move becoming permanent, and that’s what Liverpool will have been expecting to happen, but now that might not be the case.
“There has been some talk that the manager is not happy with how he’s been playing and training, and that’s why he’s been left out a few times recently.
“That’s going to be a massive concern, not just for Villa and for the player, but for Liverpool as well.
“I think the issue he has is that he’s not a winger, but he’s not an out and out midfielder, so it’s difficult to fit him into a team, and I don’t think Villa were the right club for him based on that.
“He can play in both of those positions, of course, but if Villa needed a wide man, he’s not what they need, and if they needed a midfielder, he’s not really that either.
“What he needs at the moment is to be playing regularly, but that’s not happening, and it’s a shame because I thought he was better than that.”
Villa have a £35million obligation to buy Elliott, which will be triggered after he makes 10 appearances, but he has featured just five times before dropping out of the squad.
Aston Villa also concerned about Jadon Sancho
Elliott was not the only big-name player to arrive at Villa Park on loan during the summer, with Jadon Sancho making the short-term switch from Man United.
However, the winger has made just six appearances across all competitions so far and started just two games, leading to concerns at Villa Park.
Football Insider revealed on 3 November that Sancho cannot return to Man United in January as there is no break clause in his contract with Villa.
Meanwhile, Football Insider that Aston Villa will only sign Sancho on a permanent basis if he hits the ground running at the club, with that deal now unlikely.
As a result, Man United could be set to lose the England international on a free transfer with his contract at Old Trafford set to expire at the end of the season.
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