Aston Villa manager Unai Emery acknowledges the club is hindering Harvey Elliott's development due to loan terms. Elliott, on loan from Liverpool, is nearing a permanent transfer trigger based on appearances. Emery has limited his playing time, admitting it's a difficult situation for the young midfielder. Villa is actively negotiating with Liverpool to alter the terms.

Emery revealed that talks with Liverpool have been ongoing for three months. The loan agreement, made on deadline day in September, included a clause requiring Elliott to play a certain number of games for a permanent transfer. The manager is keen to utilize Elliott's abilities, but the contractual obligation restricts his on-field opportunities until the matter is resolved.

The situation is complicated by the fact that Liverpool holds the key to the situation. If Liverpool removes the appearance clause, Elliott will likely see more playing time for Villa. Emery wants to balance the team's needs with Elliott’s development. The future of the England U21 international is in the hands of the Premier League champions.

With the winter transfer window closed, Villa can still negotiate with Liverpool. Emery hopes for a resolution to allow Elliott to play more frequently. The manager sees Elliott as a valuable asset but is bound by the agreement. Fans will watch to see if the two clubs can reach an agreement and how this impacts Elliott's career.