Aston Villa’s loan signing of Liverpool star Harvey Elliott looks like an expensive misjudgement, one that could cost Villa £37 million.
When Aston Villa announced the deadline day arrival of young midfielder Harvey Elliott, most believed it to be a shrewd signing.
Following Villa’s failed pursuit of West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta, they needed a creative spark.
In Elliott, they had signed one of England’s brightest young talents – or so it appeared.
In the summer, Harvey Elliott fired England to the Euro U21 final, which they went on to win.
Brought in on loan, Elliott’s deal includes a £35 million obligation to buy.
Such a fee seemed reasonable for an exciting youngster with Premier League experience and a very high ceiling.
But a few months into the season, the deal is already looking like a serious misstep for all parties, except Liverpool.
And with his £65,000 per week salary on top, Villa could have a total outlay of £37M by the end of the season.
Harvey Elliott Having An Aston Villa Nightmare
Having been deemed surplus to requirements by Liverpool boss Arne Slot, Elliott’s move to Aston Villa was meant to reignite his career.
Slot’s preference for more physical and defensively solid midfielders left Elliott with no place in the squad.
And the arrival of Florian Wirtz blocked his path in a more advanced role.
Aston Villa therefore seemed the perfect solution. With Liverpool offloading a player they no longer needed, Villa were gaining a long-term prospect.
But things have not worked out how Villa, or Elliott, would have liked.
They have recovered from a poor start and climbed the table, but Elliott has barely been involved.
The 22-year-old has been limited to just five appearances in all competitions, almost exclusively from the bench.
🥇 | @greggevans40: Harvey Elliott is growing increasingly frustrated with his situation at Aston Villa, which is getting worse rather than better.
Sitting on the sidelines wasn’t what he expected or was told lay ahead when he signed. pic.twitter.com/sTelQOdOw4
— Anfield Edition | æ (@AnfieldEdition) November 13, 2025
He has been frozen out entirely by Unai Emery, not featuring in any of Villa’s last five Premier League games.
His most recent appearance was a measly four-minute cameo against Feyenoord in the Europa League.
Villa boss Emery is believed to doubt Elliott’s tactical discipline and ability to contribute.
And with the likes of Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Buendia and John McGinn offering midfield competition, he will struggle to break back into the side.
Aston Villa’s Harvey Elliott Obligation Has One Loophole
A major issue for Aston Villa is that their loan deal for Harvey Elliott includes an obligation, rather than an option, to buy.
That means Villa have already agreed that they must pay Liverpool £35 million to sign Elliott at the end of the season.
Had he delivered on what was expected, this would have looked a great deal.
But it now seems like a costly mistake.
And with Elliott on an estimated £65,000 per week, he will have cost them another £2.75 million in wages by the summer.
There is one get-out for Aston Villa, though.
According to reports, the obligation to buy includes a clause related to how many games Elliot plays.
This means that unless he hits a certain appearance target, Villa don’t have to make the deal permanent.
Because of this, many have suggested that Elliott has been left out to avoid triggering the obligation clause.
What Next For Harvey Elliott And Villa?
So far, this looks to have been a disastrous move for Harvey Elliott.
Discarded by boyhood club Liverpool, he’s now been left out in the cold at Aston Villa.
To make matters worse, he would not be able to play for another Premier League club if recalled and re-loaned by Liverpool.
Would you recall Harvey Elliott in January? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/BA0YqMIvGb
— Anfield Football (@AnfieldFootball) November 12, 2025
As he’s already featured for two Premier League teams this season, he’s ineligible to join a third this season.
At 22, Elliott has time on his side. He’s easily young enough to find a club in the summer and rediscover his form.
Failing that, he may yet return to Liverpool and prove his worth to Arne Slot.
But for now, Villa have made what appears to be an expensive error of judgement.
