Harvey Elliott says he is “increasingly disappointed” in his lack of appearances for Aston Villa, as reports detail why manager Unai Emery continues to disdain Liverpool loanees.
Elliott joined Aston Villa on deadline day on a season-long loan that included an obligation to buy out for around £35m if he played just 10 games this season.
He has appeared in six games so far, but has started just two, and in the last six weeks has been limited to just four minutes on the bench (against Feyenoord on October 2), and was not included in the match-day squads for the Premier League wins over Manchester City and Bournemouth.
The Athletic reports that Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Asensio and West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta were both Emery’s “preferred options” this summer, claiming Elliott’s absence from football this term is “mainly due to him not yet fully adapting to Emery’s demanding demands”.
Emery “prefers a more methodical approach” from the attacking midfielder than what Elliott was used to when he came off the bench for Liverpool’s match change.
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Morgan Rogers, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans are Emery’s preferred options in midfield, while the return of Emiliano Bundia means he is expected to be ahead of Elliott in the pecking order, and even Ross Barkley, who is usually used by Emery as a number six, has been called up ahead of the England Under-21 star in recent days.
When asked why the 22-year-old was not included in the winning squad against City, Emery said: “He has been training well and played in a few games, but his performances were not what we needed. Some players are playing as a number 10 and are playing well, like Buendia and Rodgers. Also Ross Barkley, after he was absent.”
“We had to take one player out of the team, so we decided on him. I’m happy with him. He’s training well. His dedication is great and he’s a good guy. (It’s) just a tactical decision.”
The report states: “The number 10 in the Spaniard’s system is a key player who must be tactically savvy and aware of the striker’s triggers, but must also be calm and composed in possession,” and Emery clearly does not think Elliott is suitable for the role, at least for the time being.
“Frustration on the player’s part is growing as the situation is getting worse rather than better,” the report added, adding that Elliott “has become increasingly disappointed over the past month as sitting on the sidelines was not what he expected and was told he would be put forward when he signed.”
