Unai Emery sends 'time' message to Aston Villa star after Fulham decision
Unai Emery has urged Harvey Elliott not to lose heart after warning it will take time for the midfielder to hit top form for Villa.
Elliott made first Premier League start for Villa against Fulham on Sunday but was substituted at half-time with the scores level at 1-1.
His replacement, Emi Buendia, went on to score as Villa claimed an important 3-1 victory but Emery later insisted the decision to take Elliott off was tactical and had nothing to do with his performance.
The 22-year-old Liverpool loanee was previously singled out for criticism by the boss following Villa’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland earlier this month.
Emery believes Elliott will need to be patient as he looks to find his feet.
The Villa boss said: “He needs to adapt in everything, but I changed him not because he was playing bad.
“He was playing good but I changed him thinking about the energy Emi Buendia gives us in that moment, and his skills as well.
“He (Elliott) has to continue working, preparing and adapting of us, understanding everything, then using our quality in his structure. He needs time, Elliott. Emiliano did fantastic."
Villa are preparing for Thursday night’s Europa League trip to Feyenoord with concerns over the fitness of Tyrone Mings.
The defender was forced off just over half-an-hour into Sunday’s game after going over on his ankle.
