Harvey Elliott has hardly featured for Aston Villa on loan(Image: Getty Images)

Unai Emery has admitted that Aston Villa decided two months ago against signing Harvey Elliott permanently, explaining that his departure would free up space to strengthen the squad.

The 22-year-old’s last appearance for Villa came at the end of October, when they beat Feyenoord 2-0 at De Kuip.

Despite scoring Villa’s first goal of the season against Brentford in the Carabao Cup, Elliott has only featured five times for the club - half the number of appearances required for Villa to be obliged to sign him permanently.

The agreed transfer fee for Elliott, should he make 10 appearances while on loan, was £35 million. However, the two clubs are now in discussions to determine the midfielder’s future.

“We have the issue with Harvey Elliott. Again, I am respecting all I can because he is a very good guy, a professional and respectful guy,” Emery explained.

“The situation he has with us is something I must take a decision on, but trying not to damage the player as less as possible. He deserves...