Harvey Elliott has spoken publicly for the first time about his difficult season-long loan at Aston Villa, saying he would not wish the experience on any other player.
The 23-year-old joined Villa last summer after being named player of the tournament as England won the Under-21 European Championship. He signed on loan with an obligation to buy for £35 million, but quickly fell out of favour under Unai Emery.
Elliott was placed into the bomb squad after a clause in his deal meant the move from Liverpool would become permanent after 10 appearances. He could not join another club in January, having already played one league minute for Liverpool before joining Villa on Deadline Day, as UEFA rules limit players to featuring for a maximum of two clubs in one season.
Speaking at the Yankee Stadium after featuring in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Wrexham, Elliott said the experience had been mentally and physically draining. He said he does not wish the situation upon any other player because it is not nice at all, but added he has no hard feelings and wishes Villa all the very best. He said the club treated him as one of their own and he respected them highly for that.
Elliott added that he was able to get through the ordeal and achieve something at the end of the season, winning a Europa League medal.
The midfielder is now back at Liverpool and has played in both wins on the club's pre-season tour of America, including victories over Sunderland in Nashville and Wrexham in New York. He described returning to the club as an incredible feeling, saying everyone knows how much he loves Liverpool and that he has supported them from a very young age.
Elliott acknowledged his future at the club remains uncertain, but said he is focused on taking his second chance and winning over new head coach Andoni Iraola, whom he described as incredible. He said he wants to cement his spot in the team or within the squad.
On his falling out with Emery, Elliott said the Villa manager explained the situation very clearly and a fair few times, and that the whole club were very apologetic. He said it was ultimately a situation he could not control.
