Harvey Elliott (foto: Getty Images)
Harvey Elliott has described his loan spell at Aston Villa as one of the toughest periods of his career after falling out of favor under Unai Emery.
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Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott has spoken publicly for the first time about his difficult loan spell at Aston Villa, admitting the experience left him mentally exhausted and saying he would not wish it on any footballer.
The 23-year-old joined Villa last summer on a season-long loan that included a £35 million obligation to buy. The move followed a brilliant summer in which Elliott was named Player of the Tournament as England won the UEFA Under 21 European Championship.
However, what began as an exciting new challenge quickly turned into a nightmare.
After Unai Emery took charge, Elliott found himself frozen out of the first team. Reports claimed he was placed in the club's so-called "bomb squad" because the purchase clause in his contract would become mandatory after he made ten appearances.
His situation became even more frustrating in January. Having already made one Premier League appearance for Liverpool before completing his Deadline Day move, UEFA regulations prevented him from joining a third club during the same season.
Speaking after Liverpool's 1-0 pre-season victory over Wrexham at Yankee Stadium, Elliott reflected on the toughest period of his young career.
"Mentally, it was a very tough one. Going to Villa was a learning curve. It was an opportunity for me to experience something new."
"I don't wish that 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. I did really have a lot of love for them. They treated me as one of their own, and for that I respect them highly."
"But it was tough, mentally and physically. I'm on the other side of it now. I was able to get through it and achieve something at the end of the season as well."
Elliott has now returned to Liverpool, the club he has supported since childhood, and says he is determined to make the most of what feels like a second opportunity.
The midfielder has featured in Liverpool's victories over Sunderland and Wrexham during their pre-season tour of the United States and hopes to impress new manager Andoni Iraola.
"It's an incredible feeling. Everyone knows how much I love the club and I've supported them from a very young age, so the feeling never goes away of putting the shirt on, representing the club and doing your childhood dream."
"I wanted a new challenge. I wanted to come out of my comfort zone because I thought it would help me develop as a player. Unfortunately, it didn't work out, but that's last season. Now I'm here. It's kind of a second chance."
Elliott added that he arrived back at Liverpool's AXA Training Centre with a huge smile, admitting he feared he might never wear the famous red shirt again.
"Last season, I thought it was the last opportunity I'd have to wear this shirt. I'm back now, and I just want to enjoy every moment because playing for Liverpool, there's no better feeling."
Despite everything that happened, Elliott insisted he holds no resentment toward Emery or Aston Villa.
"He explained everything very clearly and several times. The whole club was very apologetic, and ultimately, it was a situation that I couldn't control."
After a year he would rather forget, Elliott is focused entirely on rebuilding his career at Anfield and proving he still belongs at one of England's biggest clubs.