Harvey Elliott has made seven appearances for Aston Villa this season(Image: Getty Images)

Unai Emery has urged Liverpool to remove Aston Villa’s obligation to buy Harvey Elliott, insisting that the midfielder is being "damaged" by the situation.

Elliott joined Villa on loan from Liverpool on deadline day last summer, with the agreement including a clause that would make the move permanent if he made 10 appearances.

After playing his seventh game for Villa in the 1-0 defeat against Brentford last weekend, the midfielder would trigger a £35 million transfer fee if he makes three more appearances.

With essentially only two appearances left before the obligation kicks in, Villa have been in discussions with Liverpool for months to try and remove the clause.

Both clubs could still renegotiate the terms of the loan agreement, even though the winter transfer window closes on Monday.

“I spoke with him. We have been fair because there are two ways: one way is a sport, the second is business,” Emery explained on Friday. “We'll be fair in case, because we are trying it, and I told him, we are opening the door to play with...