Harvey Elliott: Unai Emery accepts Aston Villa are 'hurting' Liverpool lender over loan terms – but says Arne Slot's side are key to his future | Football news

Unai Emery says Aston Villa have been negotiating with Liverpool “for three months” over the terms of Harvey Elliott's loan, with the aim of trying to use the midfielder more extensively in the latter stages of the season.

The England U21 international joined Villa on deadline day in September on a loan with an obligation to buy based on appearances made this season.

Elliott did not play between October 2 and Villa's final Europa League match against RB Salzburg last month. He has now made a total of seven appearances for Villa.

A permanent deal is triggered by 10 appearances, including five in the second half of the season.

Emery admits Villa have “harmed” Elliott by using him sparingly, but believes the player deserves to feature more for his side as they continue to battle on three fronts this season.

“I spoke with him. We were fair because there are two ways to do it,” Emery said.

“One way is sports, the second is business. We will be just in case, because we are trying it and I told him that I have spoken with Harvey several times.

“Now I open the door to play with us, because he can help us, but it's not only on my side.

“The other team is Liverpool, if they remove the clauses they have, to play matches and for us to buy it compulsory.

“[I said to him] “you are going to play here with us, it’s a sporting decision”. But now it's a sporting decision and a business decision.

“My sporting decision is always there: ‘you deserve to play, we need your qualities on the pitch, you will play’. But just in case, the clauses are still there and now it’s Liverpool, they have the key.”

The winter transfer window closed on Monday with Villa able to sign Tammy Abraham of Besiktas, with Douglas Luiz arriving on loan from Juventus and Leon Bailey recalled from his loan spell with Roma.

Villa are able to continue to renegotiate with Liverpool outside the window, but Emery accepts, however, that ultimately the Premier League champions will have the final say on whether a compromise can be reached.

“We talk about it [taking off the clause] but not now. We started talking about it three months ago. Of course, the transfer window ended on Monday.

“It will be fair for him, because he is a calm guy, a good guy, and he is a fantastic professional. And then his qualities are there.

“Of course he has to play, and he is really passionate and I know we are harming him, because we did a deal with Liverpool in the summer and the deal is there, and we are taking the decision responsibly on my side.

“That can change for him, in case Liverpool remove that clause – if they don’t want it, fine.”