Aston Villa decided against signing Harvey Elliot two months ago and are now reluctant to play him to avoid activating their purchase clause. Unai Emery explained the club's brutal position in his first press conference of the January transfer window.

Villa secured a loan deal for Elliott during the summer window and agreed a £35million obligation to make the move permanent with Liverpool, subject to certain stipulations. The 22-year-old has played just three times in the Premier League for Aston Villa.

Each of those outings came in September, and Elliott has not made a matchday squad since October. The midfielder's Anfield exit came with a desire for more playing time - and that has not come close to being met.

Now, Emery has attempted to clarify the situation that Elliott finds himself in. The Spaniard has acknowledged it is not ideal for the club or player.

Emery said: “I am respecting him all we can because he’s a very good professional, very respectful but the situation we have is something. I must take a decision but not damage the person. Because he’s a very good person and player and deserves the best."

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"The problem we have with Harvey is this year he is on loan and in case he is playing matches, we must buy him," the Villa coach added. "We decided two months ago we are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we need.

“This is the issue. But he is training every day, very good with us to help us in training and of course it is not good for him or good for us, but it is football and sometimes we must take decisions that are not good for us."

MLS side Charlotte FC are said to be ready to offer Elliott an escapefrom his loan nightmare. The club, led by ex-Villa boss Dean Smith, are keen to land the out-of-favour England under-21 international.

Having featured for Liverpool and Villa this term the playmaker cannot feature for another team in Europe this season. A move to the US could still be permitted due to the separate calendar they work under.

Charlotte FC are claimed to have secured the discovery rights for the ex-Fulham academy star. Smith and the club's general manager Zoran Krneta have strong connections in the United Kingdom which they are said to believe will put them in a strong position.

Elliott's preference was to remain in the Premier League, but with that looking unlikely, he is considering the positives on offer in the USA. With the World Cup just a matter of months away, a move could reinvigorate his chances.

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