Liverpool made the decision to loan Harvey Elliott to Aston Villa on transfer deadline day of last summer’s window.
Without a decent permanent offer for the 22-year-old playmaker Richard Hughes had to accept what was on the table from Unai Emery’s side.
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Villa committed to a one-season loan deal with an obligation attached should certain triggers be met. If the England under-21 standout played in 10 Premier League matches then the Villa Park outfit would pay £35m for a permanent transfer.
With Elliott’s contract expiring in 2027 that was a guarantee of good money for Liverpool – whose head coach Arne Slot only used him sparingly in the 2024/25 Premier League title-winning season.
But Villa’s usage of Elliott earlier this season suggested all wasn’t rosy in the garden with this deal. In fact he was frozen out by Emery for large chunks of the season with it becoming evident that they had no intention of honouring the permanent clause.
Elliott clause only valid for PL games
It has since emerged that the clause ONLY applies for Premier League matches – meaning Elliott remains free to feature in Villa’s hitherto successful Europa League run.
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The midfielder has only played four times for Villa in the top flight – meaning they can safely use him another five times before the end of the season without consequence.
And that means the No9 is set for an increased role towards the run-in as his club chase Champions League football. Villa have got eight games left – with one of those against Liverpool and Elliott will be ineligible for that one regardless.
And so Villa can play him in FIVE of their remaining SEVEN matches safe in the knowledge that no permanent clause will be activated.
Villa need Elliott for the run-in
And boy do they need him.
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Although their Europa campaign remains on track their chase for Champions League football has hit freefall. Emery could do with the attacking boost that Elliott’s creativity can give his side.
The two-time Premier League title winner earned rave reviews from Villans for his cameo performance in the Europa League against Lille in midweek and could feature once again on Sunday.
Liverpool stand to benefit too.
Elliott can return to the club with crucial first-team minutes under his belt and nudge his way back into contention for a place in Arne Slot’s squad for next season.
Or else he could prepare the ground for a big-money summer sale with a decent showing in the run-in. It’s been a long time coming but now Elliott is set for a new lease of life.
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