Harvey Elliott made a first Aston Villa appearance for nearly three months on Thursday but Unai Emery insists his "situation doesn't change" with the club not wanting him permanently.

The playmaker made a loan move to Villa Park on deadline day after summer-long talk about where he would end up after a stellar U21 Euros, where he was named the best player at the tournament. His Liverpool future was unclear and he headed to their Premier League rivals.

But Elliott has not been to Emery's taste and the ex-Fulham youngster has barely featured. He was handed a rare outing in the Europa League as he played in the comeback win over Red Bull Salzburg.

The Villa boss was impressed with what he saw from his loanee, who he needs to sign permanently if he plays ten times, but he has no intention of doing so.

Emery said: "It is not changing. Not changing, I told you yesterday it is not changing his situation. Today, he played and very fantastic how he helped us, but it's not changing our idea with him."

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Villa would be be obliged to buy Elliott for £35million if he did continue to feature, which is likely why Emery has taken him out of the starting picture. Emery does not want to have him permanently - a reality he made clear several months ago when quizzed on the situation.

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

"This is the only issue. He is training every day, always every day with very good behaviour and to help us in training sessions. This is not something good for him and good for us, but this is football and sometimes we must take some decisions which are not good for everyone."

Villa's stellar season has them just four points off Premier League leaders Arsenal and they've recently invested in more quality - bringing in Tammy Abraham and Douglas Luiz, the latter on loan for the remainder of the season. Emery still has Villa in contention across the league, FA Cup and Europa League.

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