Aston Villa starting XI with Harvey Elliott as Liverpool showdown talks needed

The Liverpool midfielder has endured a frustrating time this season, but Unai Emery's recent selection, talk of a revised loan arrangement, and Aston Villa's injury outlook could change his position

How Harvey Elliott could fit into Aston Villa's system(Image: Getty Images)

Harvey Elliott may have endured a frustrating transfer deadline day, but despite no update on his current situation at Aston Villa, there have been some optimistic signs in recent weeks.

The midfielder’s deadline-day move to Villa Park last summer has not panned out as expected. Elliott joined the club on loan, with an obligation to buy for £35 million ($48M), subject to certain criteria.

The 22-year-old clearly didn’t expect anything to scupper his permanent switch to Villa, and he even posted an emotional farewell to Liverpool on social media. But it seems almost certain that, in some capacity, Elliott will be back on Merseyside next summer.

Unai Emery has admitted Villa does not plan to make his move permanent. Consequently, the Spaniard will not allow Elliott to play in enough games - currently 10 - to ensure the terms of that transfer are met.

It meant the Liverpool loanee went almost three games without featuring for Villa, and can only play twice more before the transfer becomes permanent.

With no recall option in the loan move, the onus is on Villa to find a solution, while due to FIFA's rules, he cannot join another European club this season, having already played for two.

That said, Emery’s decision to select Elliott in the last two games should be seen as a sign of encouragement, along with reports emerging on deadline day that the clubs were seeking to arrange new loan terms. That would essentially remove the obligation-to-buy clause in the loan and allow Elliott to feature for the remainder of the season, before returning to Liverpool next summer.

While there was no update before Monday’s transfer deadline, fresh terms can be negotiated outside the transfer window if showdown talks are arranged soon.

Elliott has played in Villa's last two games(Image: 2026 Aston Villa FC)

If so, that would allow Elliott to play in the coming months, a scenario that suits everyone, especially Villa, following the recent injuries to John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans.

But where exactly could Elliott fit into Emery’s multi-functional tactical model? The ex-Arsenal boss operates with a fluid 4-2-3-1 shape that transitions to 4-4-2 out of possession.

Elliott could, therefore, operate as a wide attacker and look to cut inside - a role McGinn has excelled in - or play behind the striker in a no.10 position. It’s the latter where Elliott has featured during the last two games, although that is Morgan Rogers’ preferred position.

Regardless, if Elliott were to play more regularly for Villa, it would likely be as part of a three-man attack behind a striker, which includes Rogers and Emiliano Buendia. Jadon Sancho and Leon Bailey are also options for Emery, but he has not been convinced by either.

Unai Emery is looking for a solution to Villa's current problems(Image: Getty Images)

The Villa head coach wants his attackers to be physical, move the ball at pace, and be adept dribblers. Elliott simply does not fit that criteria.

Therefore, it seems he will never force his way into the Villa team. Ultimately, there’s a reason Emery and the club do not want to sanction the transfer.

But a bit-part role would represent an improvement on his woeful first half of the season. Liverpool will certainly hope that transpires, and that he returns to the club next summer as a sellable asset.

The ex-Fulham man was the subject of interest from across the Premier League and abroad last season. That could still be the case this summer, if he is given the opportunity to showcase his talents at Villa Park in the spring months.

Villa’s current best XI with Elliott: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Luiz, Onana; Elliott, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins.