Harvey Elliott has described his Aston Villa loan as mentally and physically difficult but insists he holds no resentment towards Unai Emery or the club.
The Liverpool midfielder spent last season at Villa Park under an agreement containing a reported £35million purchase obligation.
That clause would have become active after his 10th appearance. Elliott played nine times across all competitions as Villa decided against signing him permanently.
“Mentally, it was a very tough one,” Elliott told the Daily Mail after featuring in Liverpool’s pre-season victory over Wrexham.
“I don’t wish the situation upon any other player because it’s not nice at all.”
Harvey Elliott Aston Villa loan left midfielder in limbo
Elliott arrived after being named player of the tournament as England won the European Under-21 Championship.
However, Emery quickly decided that Villa would not complete a permanent transfer. The appearance clause then made it difficult for Elliott to receive regular minutes.
A January move was also complicated because Elliott had already represented Liverpool and Villa during the same season.
Despite describing the experience as difficult, the 23-year-old praised the way people inside Villa treated him.
“I have no hard feelings,” he said.
“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.”
Emery previously admitted that the situation had become “embarrassing” and was harming a player who continued to train professionally. The Villa manager also explained the decision to Elliott on several occasions.
Elliott confirmed those conversations took place and absolved Emery of personal blame.
“He explained very, very clearly and a fair few times,” Elliott added.
“The whole club were very apologetic and ultimately, it was a situation that I couldn’t control.”
Villa must learn from the agreement when structuring future loan deals. The club are currently discussing permanent and temporary solutions with Chelsea for Nicolas Jackson, although no similar appearance clause has been reported.
Elliott has now returned to Liverpool and hopes to impress new manager Andoni Iraola during pre-season.
His Villa spell failed on sporting grounds, but his refusal to criticise Emery or the club reflects well on the midfielder.
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