Harvey Elliott opens up on ‘difficult decision’ to join Aston Villa
Harvey Elliott was the most significant piece of business Aston Villa managed to get over the line this summer.
Elliott joined from Liverpool on an initial loan; however, the Villans have an obligation to make his stay in B6 permanent for £35million if he makes a certain number of appearances.
Unai Emery could hand Elliott his first start for Villa as they take on Brentford in the third round of the Carabao Cup tonight.
The 22-year-old recently opened up on his decision to join Aston Villa and why he felt the need to leave Liverpool despite the Reds being so successful as of late.
Harvey Elliott ‘over the moon’ to be at Villa
With Morgan Rogers starting the new season poorly, there is an opportunity for Elliott to come in and cement himself as the main creative spark in a Villa side that has struggled offensively this season.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, the youngster opened up on his decision to join Villa.
“There were a few difficult decisions I had to make. I had to sit down and speak to the team and go into a lot of detail, but it was the decision that was made, and the decision was to come here.
“I’m over the moon. As I said in that interview (when I signed), I’m so happy to be here and I really want to kick on, to get this club where they deserve,” Elliott said.
After only starting two Premier League games last season, Elliott admitted that the most important factor behind his move away from the Reds was the need to play more first-team football.
“I need to be in a team where I’m getting regular minutes.”
- Elliott played a total of 399 minutes in the Premier League last season
- His luck was not much better in the Champions League, playing just 174 minutes
- The youngster was also only afforded one start in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup campaign last season
“Whether that’s starting or coming off the bench, just having that feeling of going into a matchday knowing you’re going to play, that’s the only way I can improve now,” Elliott said.
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Harvey Elliott admits ‘love’ for Liverpool still remains
Elliott joined Liverpool from Fulham back in 2019 and would go on to make 149 appearances and lift multiple trophies for his boyhood club.
Unsurprisingly despite not getting much of a look-in at the starting XI under Arne Slot, the playmaker admitted that this has not soured his view on the club he played for for six years.
“I mean for me, I loved every minute of it; every second, every day. I wouldn’t change it to be honest, I learned so much from being there and experienced many things.
“The love I have for Liverpool is still going to be there forever, that’s not going to change, I’m still going to be watching and looking out for them from afar,” Villa’s deadline day signing said.
For a young player like Elliott, it would have been easy for him to stick in his comfort zone and remain a bit-part player at Liverpool.
But the mentality of the youngster to leave the reigning Premier League champions, who are also favourites to retain their crown, to join Villa showcases the elite mentality Elliott possesses, as well as how attractive Emery has made Villa for potential new arrivals.
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