Harvey Elliott’s Uncertain Future at Aston Villa

When Harvey Elliott joined Aston Villa on loan with an option for a permanent transfer, Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed high regard for the young player. He emphasized that, while stars like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk received the limelight for their contributions to last season’s Premier League title, players like Elliott are often the unsung heroes of the team.

In a statement made in September, Slot remarked, “Harvey is in a very good place at a great club like Aston Villa. It benefits everyone that he did not receive the playing time his talent warrants. He has consistently conducted himself with professionalism. His commitment to the club’s interests, even while not playing regularly, speaks volumes about his character. He deserves significant credit for that. While the focus is often on players like Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk, contributions from players like Elliott have been crucial to our success. He maintained a positive attitude, whether playing five minutes or ten, and that mindset has been fundamental to our team’s achievements. I believe he is fully prepared to showcase his abilities at Aston Villa.”

However, as of early 2026, Elliott’s future at Villa Park appears uncertain. Upon Elliott’s arrival, the agreement stipulated that if he participated in 10 Premier League matches for the club, a permanent transfer would be triggered at a fee of £35 million ($47 million). Currently, he has made only five appearances, with his last outing occurring against Feyenoord in the Europa League on October 2. Due to restrictions on player transfers within the same season, Elliott cannot play for a third club this year, unless it’s for an overlapping football calendar, which has led to interest from Major League Soccer’s Charlotte FC. Still, Elliott reportedly is not considering such a move, according to The Times.

With no recall option from Liverpool and no communication from Villa regarding his future, it seems likely that Elliott may not feature in any more matches this season. Recently, manager Unai Emery disclosed that the club had decided against making Elliott’s transfer permanent two months prior. He acknowledged Elliott’s professionalism and the difficult position he finds himself in, stating, “We are aware of Harvey Elliott’s situation. I hold him in high regard as a professional and a person. However, we must make decisions that are in the best interest of the team while trying to minimize any damage to him. If he is to leave, we may explore opportunities in the market. Thus far, we have only signed Alysson because we see potential in him. We are also open to adding more experienced players. However, I am confident in the capabilities of our current squad to meet our objectives this season. The main issue with Harvey is his loan status, which means if he plays, we must buy him. We determined two months ago that we are not ready to make that financial commitment. He trains diligently each day, contributing positively, but this situation is challenging for both him and us. Such decisions are sometimes necessary in football.”

Elliott, previously with Fulham, also does not seem to have a clear path back to Liverpool at this moment. Recently, Slot reiterated the stance on Elliott, stating, “No, Harvey is an Aston Villa player and is expected to be there for the season. For any inquiries about him, the best source is Villa, and they are performing admirably.”