Harvey Elliott’s move to Aston Villa on loan from Liverpool has so far failed to spark the transformation many expected.

Villa head coach Unai Emery is calling for more hours in training and greater tactical discipline from the young English star.

But with Elliott having logged just a handful of appearances and a succession of matches on the bench or unused, the warning signs are mounting.

Elliott joined Villa with considerable fanfare. A crucial figure in Liverpool’s recent success and England’s U21-European Championship success, the 22-year-old was seen as an attacking upgrade for a Villa side seeking to rebuild under Emery.

Harvey Elliott has struggled to perform at Aston Villa

The loan deal, reported as lasting a season and potentially leading to a full transfer, raised expectations that Elliott would be a key figure in Villa’s push up the Premier League table. However, the reality so far has been different.

Five appearances into his Villa career, Elliott has not started in the last three matches and has struggled to make an impact.

Emery, while publicly supportive, has urged the young winger not to rely purely on talent, stressing that “hard work and patience are the keys to kick-starting” his Villa career.

Emery said, as reported by the...