AdminHarvey Elliott’s Aston Villa spell ended without the permanent move many expected, after the midfielder fell just one appearance short of triggering his £35million obligation.
The 23-year-old spent the 2025-26 season on loan from Liverpool, making nine appearances for Unai Emery’s side. His only goal came in the Carabao Cup before he returned to Anfield, where opportunities remained limited.
Elliott was sent out on loan again this summer, joining Valencia for the 2026-27 campaign. His latest appearance, however, may have caught the attention of a familiar face.
Emery travelled to watch Valencia face Real Sociedad on Sunday, just a day after overseeing Villa’s first Premier League win of the season against Tottenham. Elliott came off the bench with around 20 minutes remaining and immediately made an impression.
Per FotMob, the midfielder completed all 14 of his passes, created two chances and recorded one shot on target. He also completed three passes into the final third, attempted a dribble and found his target with his only long-ball attempt.
It was an eye-catching cameo from Elliott and could leave Emery wondering what might have been.
Villa signed Alejandro Garnacho on a similar deal this summer, but the Argentine has struggled for opportunities, managing only 31 Premier League minutes so far.
With competition from Emi Buendia, George Hemmings, John McGinn and Ibrahim Mbaye, Garnacho faces a battle for regular minutes, while Elliott continues to remind Villa of what they once had.
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