Manager Unai Emery says Aston Villa have been in talks with Liverpool over the loan terms of Harvey Elliott for “three months” in order to use the midfielder more widely in the final stages of the season.
The England Under-21 international joined Villa on Deadline Day in September on loan with an obligation to buy based on his appearances this season.
Elliott did not play from October 2 until last month’s Europa League final match against RB Salzburg. He has now appeared in a total of seven games for Villa.
The permanent contract will be activated after he plays 10 games, including five games in the second half of the season.
Emery admits Villa have “damaged” Elliott by using him sparingly, but believes the player deserves to feature more as his side continue to compete on three fronts this season.
“I spoke to him. There are two ways, so we were fair,” Emery said.
“One is sports, the other is business. We’re trying it out, so we’ll be fair, just in case. I told him, I’ve talked to Harvey a few times.”
Elliott has only been used seven times for Villa this season.
“Now I’m opening the door to play together, because he helps us, but it’s not just on my side.
“It’s Liverpool, if they play the game and we release the clause to force him.
“(I told him) ‘You’re going to play with us here, it’s a sporting decision.’ But now it’s a sporting decision and it’s a business decision as well.
“My sporting decision is still there: ‘You deserve to play, we need your qualities on the field, you’re going to play.’ But just in case, that clause is still there and it’s Liverpool now. They hold the key.”
The winter transfer window closed on Monday, with Villa able to sign Tammy Abraham from Besiktas, Douglas Luiz joining on loan from Juventus and Leon Bailey recalled from his loan spell at Roma.
Villa could continue to renegotiate negotiations with Liverpool outside the box, but Emery accepts that ultimately the Premier League champions have the final say on whether a compromise is reached.
“We have been talking about it (termination of the clause), but we are not talking about it now. We started talking about it three months ago. Of course, the transfer window closed on Monday.
“It’s natural for him because he’s a calm, good guy and a great professional and his qualities are there.
“Of course he has to play and he’s really passionate and we know we’re hurting him because he signed a contract with Liverpool in the summer and that contract already exists and we’re taking responsible decisions on my side.”
“His situation could change in case Liverpool lift this clause. If Liverpool don’t want that, that’s fine.”
