Harvey Elliott handed Aston Villa chance after Unai Emery's transfer comments

Harvey Elliott was given another opportunity to impress by Unai Emery, but the Liverpool loanee was unable to make an impression for Aston Villa against Brentford

Harvey Elliott during Aston Villa's game with Red Bull Salzburg(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Harvey Elliott came off the bench to make another appearance for Aston Villa on Sunday, but he was unable to help Unai Emery's side avoid defeat against 10-man Brentford.

Kevin Schade was sent off for a high challenge just minutes before Dango Ouattara opened the scoring. Brentford held on in the second half and defended well, getting over the line at 1-0 at Villa Park, moving into seventh spot in the Premier League standings.

Midweek, Elliott made his sixth appearance of the season, coming into the starting XI in the Europa League against Red Bull Salzburg. This was his seventh game for Aston Villa.

Villa boss Unai Emery has made no bones about not wanting to keep Elliott beyond this season, even though the expectation was that he would be on loan for a season in the Midlands from Liverpool before the deal became permanent.

"It is not changing. Not changing," Emery said on Thursday. "I told you yesterday it is not changing his situation.

"Today, he played and very fantastic how he helped us. But, it's not changing our idea with him."

Previously, Emery had said: "The problem we have with Harvey is that this year he is on loan, and in case he plays matches, we must buy him.

Elliott has barely played this season

"We decided two months ago that we are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we would need to sign him. This is the only issue. He is training every day, always every day with very good behaviour and to help us in training sessions.

"This is not something good for him and good for us, but this is football and sometimes we must take some decisions which are not good for everyone."

Aston Villa is not expected to have a busy transfer deadline day, with clubs having until 7pm UK time (2pm ET) to conclude deals. "We don't have a lot of possibilities to do something," Emery said on Sunday. "We did everything. It's completely done, I think, the window, for us."

Elliott has played for both Villa and Liverpool this season, meaning he cannot register and play for another team unless it is one outside of the European game.

That led MLS outfit Charlotte FC to be interested in Elliott, but that switch wasn't appealing to the player. There was talk that the loan deal at Aston Villa could be terminated, but Emery's men would have had to instigate such a move.

It has been reported that if Elliott plays 10 games for Aston Villa this season, the move becomes permanent.

Liverpool.com says: Elliott's situation has been a very strange one. Aston Villa should be an ideal club for him, though it simply hasn't worked out that way. His next move will be a vital one.