Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has described the Harvey Elliott loan situation as 'embarrassing for everyone' and confessed that he feels the need to apologize to the Liverpool loanee daily.
Loan Deal and Limited Appearances
Emery's Aston Villa signed Elliott on loan from Liverpool on deadline day in September, with an obligation to make the move permanent for £35 million if he made 10 Premier League appearances. However, the midfielder has featured only four times in the league and nine times across all competitions, leaving him with minimal game time under Emery.
Ahead of Villa's final home game against Elliott's parent club Liverpool, Emery addressed the issue. 'To now explain about the reason for this decision is very difficult, or it is easy, but it is not the moment,' Emery said. 'Of course, it is something embarrassing for everyone involved. My apologies for Harvey Elliott is every day in my mind. But it is about responsibility. We have our responsibility and Liverpool have their responsibility. It is something, as a human and as a person, how the season has gone has been difficult.'
Business vs. Sport
Villa attempted to remove the obligation-to-buy clause, but with both clubs competing for Champions League qualification, talks stalled. In February, Emery explained his decision not to play Elliott to avoid triggering the permanent fee. 'I spoke with him. We have been fair because there are two ways: one way is a sport, the second is business,' Emery said. 'We'll be fair in case, because we are trying it, and I told him, we are opening the door to play with us, because he can help us. But it's not only in my way and on my side. The other side is Liverpool. If they take off the clauses to play matches and for us to buy him, (I said to him) 'You are going to play here with us, it's a sport decision.' But now it's a sport decision and a business decision. My sport decision is still there, 'You are deserving to play, we need your qualities in the field, you are going to play.' But in case the clauses are still there, now it is Liverpool - they have the key.'
Emery added, 'And I told him, it will be fair for him in case Liverpool take off this clause. We are speaking about it (taking off the clause), but not (just) now. We started speaking about it three months ago. Of course, the transfer window finished on Monday. It will be fair for him, because he's a calm guy, good guy, and he's a fantastic professional. And then his qualities are there. Of course, he must play, and he's really being patient. And I know we are damaging him, because we got a deal with Liverpool in the summer and the deal is there, and we are respecting the decision and taking the sporting decision responsibly from my side. It can change for him, in case Liverpool take off this clause. If they don't want to, okay, but the player is getting damaged.'
