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Harvey Elliott, currently on a loan spell at Aston Villa from Liverpool, has faced a tough start. Yet, his resilience and hard work in the face of these challenges speak volumes about the 22 year old's character.
Elliott made the switch to the Midlands club on a season-long loan at the close of the transfer window, with a clause triggering a compulsory purchase after 10 appearances for approximately $46 million.
The midfielder sought an exit from Anfield after a standout performance at the Under-21 Euros, where he was crowned Player of the Tournament, and was in search of more regular playing time. Despite being a key figure for Jurgen Klopp, Elliott found himself further down the pecking order when Arne Slot took over in the summer of 2024, partly due to an injury at the beginning of last season.
He racked up 28 appearances across all competitions, but this only translated to 822 minutes on the pitch. However, contrary to initial expectations that he would become a pivotal player for Unai Emery at Villa, Elliott's fight for consistent game time has been equally, if not more, challenging at Villa Park.
He has made five appearances in all competitions so far, totalling less than 200 minutes, reports the Express.
Elliott hasn't been in the starting line-up for a Premier League match with Villa since September's end and has been absent from the last three matchday squads. One absence was due to being ineligible to play against his parent club at Anfield, but the decisions against Manchester City and Bournemouth were purely tactical.
The Athletic has quashed rumours of terminating the loan deal and returning to Liverpool in January. The report confirms that there is no recall clause in the agreement, and neither club has expressed a desire to end the contract prematurely.
The article further uncovers a 'growing frustration' from the player's perspective, as his situation seems to worsen with each passing week - a sentiment that is understandable considering he left the Reds in pursuit of more playing time. With England now having secured their spot in the World Cup, time is running out for him to make an impression on Thomas Tuchel.
However, one particular detail stands out. Elliott is said to have won over Villa's staff with his positive attitude and commitment during training, despite the challenging circumstances.
He reportedly took Emery's early tough love in stride, referring to the manager's critique of him following their 1-1 draw against Sunderland earlier this season.
For Elliott, this tenacious attitude could be his most valuable asset in the coming weeks as the fixture list ramps up. It would be easy for a player in his position to withdraw, especially if they feel their efforts are being overlooked, but Elliott's resolve to keep going will undoubtedly help him achieve his ambitions in due time.
Youri Tielemans serves as a perfect example for Elliott, having initially struggled to adapt to Emery's demands when he first joined the club. Now, the Belgian midfielder is a vital cog in the team when he's fit.
After the international break, Villa are lined up to face a string of potentially favourable matches, including an away game against Leeds and home fixtures versus Young Boys and Wolves. This could provide the perfect opportunity for Elliott to leave his mark at Villa Park.
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