Unai Emery
Aston Villa signed Harvey Elliott on loan from Liverpool during the September transfer window, with an obligation to buy him if certain conditions were met. As Villa prepares for their final home game of the season against Elliott’s parent club, Liverpool, manager Unai Emery has addressed the complexities surrounding Elliott’s situation.
Unai Emery said: “To now explain about the reason for this decision is very difficult, or it is easy, but it is not the moment. 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.”
Unai Emery continued: “I spoke with him. We have been fair because there are two ways: one way is a sport, the second is business. 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.”
Unai 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.”
The situation with Elliott has been complicated by the loan agreement’s clause, which Villa sought to remove. However, with Villa competing with Liverpool for a Champions League spot, negotiations have been challenging. In February, Emery had decided not to play Elliott to avoid triggering the permanent transfer clause, balancing the sporting and business aspects of the decision. Emery’s comments highlight the ongoing discussions with Liverpool about potentially removing the clause, which would allow Elliott to play without the obligation to buy. The manager emphasized Elliott’s professionalism and patience throughout the process, acknowledging the impact on the player’s development.
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