Former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith could provide a lifeline to Harvey Elliott, rescuing the midfielder from his disappointing loan spell at Villa Park. The Liverpool player's temporary move to the Midlands club has not gone to plan, prompting discussions about an early termination.
Loan Deal Turns Sour for Young Midfielder
Harvey Elliott joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan from Liverpool on summer transfer deadline day. The agreement contained a significant clause: an obligation for Villa to make the move permanent for £35 million if the 22-year-old made ten appearances for the club.
However, that trigger now looks highly unlikely to be activated. Elliott has featured just five times for Unai Emery's side, with his last appearance coming in early October during Villa's 2–0 victory against Feyenoord. His lack of game time has made his future at the club untenable.
Limited Options for a January Solution
Both Aston Villa and Liverpool are actively seeking a solution that would see Elliott return to Anfield this month. A major complication arises from UEFA regulations, which state a player cannot represent three different clubs in European competitions within the same season.
Having already played for both Liverpool and Aston Villa in the 2025/26 campaign, Elliott is ineligible to feature for another European side. This severely limits his potential destinations for the remainder of the traditional football calendar.
MLS Emerges as a Viable Short-Term Fix
This is where Major League Soccer enters the frame. The North American league operates on a different calendar, running from spring to autumn, which would allow Elliott to register and play for an MLS club outside the European registration window.
According to reports from Mail Sport, Charlotte FC – now managed by Dean Smith, who was in charge at Villa Park from 2018 to 2021 – are interested in securing Elliott's services. A move to the United States would represent a short-term solution for the player's development, offering him regular first-team football until the European summer.
While not an ideal long-term scenario, it may be the most practical option available to ensure the talented midfielder does not spend the next six months without competitive action. The coming days are likely to be decisive in determining where Harvey Elliott will play his football for the remainder of the season.
