Harvey Elliott has spoken about his difficult loan spell at Aston Villa, calling it a "nightmare" experience that he would not wish upon any player. The midfielder, who was on a high after being named player of the tournament for England's Under-21 European Championship win, joined Villa on loan with an obligation to buy for £35 million last summer. However, his time at the club was cut short after falling out of favor with then-new manager Unai Emery.
Elliott found himself in the "bomb squad" as the loan deal was set to become permanent after 10 appearances. Due to Premier League and UEFA rules, he was unable to join another club in January, having already played for Liverpool earlier in the season. This left him unable to get consistent game time.
Reflecting on the period, Elliott stated, "Mentally, it was a very tough one. It was an opportunity for me to experience something new. I don't wish (the situation) upon any other player, because it's not nice at all, but I have no hard feelings. I wish them all the very best." He added that he had "a lot of love for them" and respected how the club treated him.
Despite the challenging loan, Elliott was part of the squad that won a Europa League medal at the end of the season. He is now back with Liverpool and looking to impress new manager Andoni Iraola during the pre-season tour in America. Elliott expressed his joy at being back at his boyhood club, stating, "It's an incredible feeling. Everyone knows how much I love the club and I've supported them from a very young age."
He views his return as a "second chance" to prove himself and secure a place in the squad. Elliott emphasized his desire to play freely and enjoy his football, acknowledging that he may have taken previous opportunities for granted. He also noted that Emery had explained the situation clearly, and the club had been apologetic, but ultimately, it was a situation beyond his control.