Unai Emery has asked Liverpool to reconsider the structure of Harvey Elliott’s loan agreement after admitting Aston Villa’s current handling of the deal is having a negative effect on the midfielder’s season.
The 22-year-old joined the Birmingham club on a season-long loan from Anfield on September 1, 2025. The agreement was structured with a conditional obligation to buy if the England youth international makes 10 first-team appearances across all competitions during the 2025–26 campaign.
The overall package was valued by Liverpool at £35 million, though Villa sources privately placed the figure closer to £30 million during negotiations.
Elliott had already featured for Liverpool earlier in the season before completing the move, a factor that limits his options under FIFA registration rules.
The Athletic reports that since arriving at Villa Park, he has made five appearances in all competitions, leaving the Fulham academy graduate with only a few games short of triggering the compulsory purchase clause. That has influenced his involvement, as he is now often left out of matchday squads or restricted to short cameos.
Emery confirmed that Villa have been reluctant to allow Elliott to cross the appearance threshold, explaining that the clause has influenced selection decisions.
Speaking on Friday, the Spaniard acknowledged that with the midfielder now close to the trigger point, the situation “is not fair” on the player. He also revealed that discussions with Liverpool over a possible adjustment to the terms have been ongoing.
