Aston Villa boss Unai Emery gives Harvey Elliott update as transfer window enters final days
Harvey Elliott will be part of Villa’s squad for Thursday’s Europa League tie with RB Salzburg - with the midfielder’s immediate future still uncertain heading into the final days of the transfer window.
Elliott was an unused substitute for Sunday’s 2-0 win at Newcastle, after being included in a Premier League squad for the first time since October.
Yet speaking on Wednesday, Villa boss Unai Emery said there had been no change to the situation which has left the 22-year-old facing the prospect of a wasted season.
Elliott has made just five appearances since joining on a season-long loan from Liverpool and only needs to make five more to trigger a £35million obligation to buy clause.
Emery has already stated Villa will not let that happen, yet it remains to be seen whether any negotiations will take place with the Reds which would see Elliott either return to Anfield, or see the obligation to buy clause removed.
Villa, who are signing Douglas Luiz on loan to deal with a midfield injury crisis, are willing to use Elliott in an emergency if required.
Emery said: “Still there are five days to finish the window. Everything we said before, only injuries can change it, like Douglas Luiz is a player joining us because of central midfield injuries.
“With Harvey, it is not changing. We have our idea. I spoke with Harvey clearly. I said before that he is a fantastic guy.
“He was on the bench against Newcastle on Sunday and was there if we needed help from him, he was ready to play.
“Tomorrow he is in the squad as well. He is involved in the squad tomorrow, but it is not changing the situation he has now.”
Neither Luiz, Leon Bailey or Tammy Abraham are eligible to face Salzburg, with Villa targeting a win which would secure a top-two league phase finish and guarantee they play the second leg of every knockout round at home.
With the main target of a top-eight finish and a place in the last-16 already secured, Emery will consider giving a full debut to 18-year-old George Hemmings in midfield to avoid risking Amadou Onana, heading into Sunday’s Premier League visit of Brentford.
Marco Bizot is expected to replace Emi Martinez in goal, though a hamstring injury to Andres Garcia means Matty Cash will start at right-back.
Salzburg have lost five out of seven group stage matches but could still qualify for the play-off round with a win and help from elsewhere.
“We are motivated,” said Emery. “Our objectives in the second half of the season are to reach the Champions League again, that’s our priority, and to be involved in the Europa League and FA Cup until the end.
“We're professionals and I want to be successful here.”
“Of course, we want to be as strong as possible with the players we’ll need to compete in the different competitions - we’ve experienced this before over the past two or three years.”
