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Harvey Elliott again failed to make the bench for Aston Villa on Saturday, as Unai Emery's team defeated Arsenal 2-1 in the West Midlands.
Emi Buendia scored in the 95th minute of Saturday's game to leave Villa second in the Premier League table, just three points behind leader Arsenal. Liverpool will move within eight points of the Gunners if the Reds can beat Leeds in Saturday's late kick-off.
While Villa picked up a crucial win on home soil, Elliott was not involved. The 22-year-old joined Villa from Liverpool on a season-long loan deal on transfer deadline day during the summer, but he hasn't made Emery's bench for the last seven league games.
Elliott isn't injured; he's available for selection. Villa's bench against Arsenal included George Hemmings, an 18-year-old midfielder who hasn't played in the Premier League.
What makes Elliott's snub even more devastating is the selection of Jadon Sancho, who was brought on from the bench during Saturday's game. Like Elliott, former England international Sancho joined Villa on a season-long loan during the summer.
The 25-year-old, who arrived at Villa Park from Manchester United, hasn't scored a single goal or produced an assist for Villa in 12 appearances this season. Yet Sancho still continues to be selected over Elliott, a decision that baffles Liverpool fans.
Elliott left Liverpool in search of regular first-team minutes ahead of next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Yet the transfer has turned out to be a nightmare, and there's even speculation about him returning to Anfield in January.
Why isn't Harvey Elliott playing for Aston Villa?
Emery was asked about Elliott's exclusion last month and pointed at Buendia's resurgence. The Argentine barely featured for Villa after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in 2023, spending time on loan at Bayer Leverkusen last season.
Yet Buendia has hit the ground running this term, scoring five goals and providing two assists from the attacking midfield position.
Emery said of Buendia: "Everything that happened around him, he deserved it because he worked hard to recover his best form as a player, like he had before he was here.
"When we decided to keep him here, and he decided to stay here as well, I was confident he could get the numbers he is achieving."
When asked if Elliott's exclusion has anything to do with Buendia's form, Emery replied: "Harvey Elliott, he is working very well. He is working consistently. He is a good guy, and his commitment to Aston Villa is fantastic.
"I am happy how he is doing his work here, but now it is difficult because he has other players playing and performing well, for example, Emi Buendia and other players."
There's speculation that Emery's real reason for leaving Elliott out is due to a clause in his loan agreement. It's believed Villa has an obligation to sign the former England youth player on a permanent transfer next summer if he makes 10 appearances for the club. Elliott has played five times for Villa so far, with none of those appearances coming in the last two months.
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