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Harvey Elliott was left out of the Aston Villa matchday squad once again by Unai Emery as his side took on Leeds United in the Premier League at Elland Road.
The Liverpool loanee has found it tough since making the move to the Midlands on transfer deadline day in the summer. The excellent Morgan Rogers plays in his favored number 10 berth, while Emi Buendia has found some form again after a difficult spell.
This week, Emery said he was pleased with Elliott, who is working hard to get into contention for minutes. When Aston Villa named its team for the visit to Leeds, though, 18-year-old midfielder George Hemmings was named on the bench, and Elliott wasn't.
Having signed Florian Wirtz and with his game time limited under Arne Slot last season, it was best for Elliott to move on in the summer.
There was interest from various parties before Aston Villa came in, signing him on loan with an obligation to buy once he hits a set number of appearances, which triggers a permanent move.
However, Elliott has not played for Villa in the Premier League since September, when he was brought off at half-time after being handed his only start in the top flight all season.
It has now been more than a month since Elliott was even named on the bench for Aston Villa in the Premier League. There has been talk that Emery only agreed to sign him once it became clear he wouldn't be able to get either Lucas Paqueta or Marco Asensio.
"The adaptation is something that some players need more than others," Emery said this week when asked about Elliott's lack of minutes.
"But the team is going forward and being very demanding to achieve individual and collective performance, also the consistency we need.
"Some players, they need more time, or we can speak about how Emi Buendia struggled last year, to achieve what he is doing this season.
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"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."
After a slow start to the new season, Aston Villa has found some form. It is now fourth in the standings, three points ahead of Liverpool.
Liverpool.com says: Elliott is more than good enough to start games for Aston Villa. He might not get in the side over Rogers, but he should be on the bench at the very least. His situation is a very strange one at the moment, but there is still time for it to change.
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