Unai Emery says Harvey Elliott's situation is 'embarrassing for everyone involved' as decision made on future

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says he feels like he should apologise to Harvey Elliott on a daily basis and has described the controversial situation as "embarrassing for everyone involved".

On deadline day last summer, Elliott joined Villa on a season-long loan from Liverpool, a deal that included an obligation to sign him permanently for £35 million if he made 10 appearances in the league.

However, the 23-year-old has struggled for first-team minutes under Emery. In fact, Elliott has played just 277 minutes this season, a total that includes just four Premier League appearances.

Speaking ahead of Friday's clash between Villa and Liverpool, an apologetic Emery was asked about the player's situation.

“To now explain about the reason for this decision is very difficult, or it is easy, but it is not the moment,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “Of course, it is something embarrassing for everyone involved.

“My apologies for Harvey Elliott is every day in my mind. But it is [about] responsibility. We have our responsibility and Liverpool have their responsibility. It is something, as a human and as a person, how the season has gone has been difficult.”

Arne Slot, meanwhile, has confirmed that Elliott will return to Liverpool for pre-season ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

“I think for him, for everyone, it didn’t work out as he wanted it, as we wanted it and probably also how Villa wanted it, because you usually sign a player or bring him in on loan to use him," said the Dutchman.

“That hasn’t happened a lot. That’s not for me to answer why that is. But of course, it’s never nice for a player not to make so many minutes, especially after the season he had with us, where he made – I assume – even more minutes with us than these 280."

Harvey Elliott has barely featured for Aston Villa this season. Image credit: Getty

“He went over there to get more playing time, but unfortunately that didn’t happen," added Slot. "He’s contracted to us so he will be with us in the start of the season.”

Why has Harvey Elliott struggled for minutes at Aston Villa?

Back in February, a report from The Athletic claimed that Elliott was not part of Unai Emery's long-term plans as there was a 'lack of trust' in the player's ability to carry out tactical instructions. He also preferred other options.

Emery has previously spoken about the obligation to buy clause that was included in the deal as he opened up about Elliott's complicated situation.

"I spoke with him. We have been fair because there are two ways: one way is a sport, the second is business," he said in February. "We'll be fair in case, because we are trying it, and I told him, we are opening the door to play with us, because he can help us.

“But it's not only in my way and on my side. The other side is Liverpool. If they take off the clauses to play matches and for us to buy him, (I said to him) 'You are going to play here with us, it's a sport decision.'

"But now it's a sport decision and a business decision. My sport decision is still there, 'You are deserving to play, we need your qualities in the field, you are going to play.' But in case the clauses are still there, now it is Liverpool - they have the key.

"And I told him, it will be fair for him in case Liverpool take off this clause. We are speaking about it (taking off the clause), but not (just) now. We started speaking about it three months ago. Of course, the transfer window finished on Monday.

"It will be fair for him, because he's a calm guy, good guy, and he's a fantastic professional. And then his qualities are there.

"Of course, he must play, and he's really being patient. And I know we are damaging him, because we got a deal with Liverpool in the summer and the deal is there, and we are respecting the decision and taking the sporting decision responsibly from my side."

Emery added: "It can change for him, in case Liverpool take off this clause. If they don't want to, okay, but the player is getting damaged."