Aston Villa signed Harvey Elliott on loan on the summer transfer deadline day to bolster a side competing on multiple fronts.
The Villains snapped Elliott up on loan with an obligation to buy him permanently if he plays a certain number of games.
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However, according to the Daily Mail, Aston Villa boss “(Unai) Emery does not appear sold on Elliott and it will take quite a turnaround for him to secure a permanent switch.”
The 22-year-old has struggled to make an impact for the Villans, managing only one goal in seven appearances.
Elliott, who has been described as ‘fearless’ and an ‘exceptional talent’, has managed a worrying 167 minutes since joining the Birmingham-based outfit.
He has started just once in the Premier League and hasn’t featured in any of Villa’s last four games.
Emery recently criticised the Englishman, reminding him that his performances have not been up to scratch, and Villa have a plethora of options to choose from.
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Elliott may not play the number of games required to make the transfer permanent at this rate.
He was not even in the Aston Villa squad that defeated Manchester City over the weekend.
He will miss the game against Liverpool this weekend, as he is ineligible to face his parent club.
Elliott will seriously need to up the ante if he hopes to turn his Villa loan into a permanent move.
Right now, there is no way back for him at Liverpool, where competition for attacking and midfield roles is fiercer than ever.
His stint with the Villains was meant to prove he could thrive at the top level, but instead, he’s fighting to stay in contention.
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The onus is now on him to take the bull by the horns and make the most of every minute he gets.
Thankfully, there’s still plenty of football left this season.
There is enough time for Elliott to find his rhythm, earn Emery’s trust, and finally show why he was once regarded as Liverpool’s next big thing.
