Unai Emery’s honeymoon period seems to have ended at Aston Villa as they travel to Manchester City next on Sunday.
Villa were embarrassed by Go Ahead Eagles in the Europa League on 23 October, with the visitors losing 2-1 at De Adelaarshorst.
Emery will now be expected to turn things around at the Etihad Stadium on 26 October, which is certainly a big ask considering the form the Sky Blues have been in.
The Spanish manager may have some qualms about the lack of investment in the summer, but he undoubtedly has questions to answer regarding recruitment as well.
Harvey Elliott has uphill battle after Unai Emery admission at Aston Villa
Emery has revealed that he sees Harvey Elliott as a number 10 in his system at Villa.
The 22-year-old signed for the Lions from Liverpool for £35million in the previous transfer window but has struggled for game time at Villa Park.
With the Spanish manager adamant on playing the England Under-21 international in an attacking midfield role, yet admitting that others can play there, the question must be asked: why was he signed in the first place?
Speaking via Liverpool Echo on 25 October, Emery said: “At the beginning, I signed him thinking he could play number 10 and getting the performance and getting him to play consistently for us. There are other players who can play there.”
Liverpool fans are feeling sorry for Elliott’s situation at Villa Park, with the midfielder staying on the bench in the last two Premier League matches.
The playmaker will have every right to be frustrated with his situation at the B6 club, and with Morgan Rogers starting to find his form, it remains to be seen where the summer signings’ minutes will come from.
Harvey Elliott numbers speak loud at Villa Park
Elliott’s move to Villa will be made permanent if he makes 10 appearances in all competitions for them this season.
Having played five times already for the Villans so far in all competitions, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the obligation-to-buy clause be triggered, but the money may go down the drain.
With that in mind, Emery needs to find a solution to play the midfielder who completed 94 per cent of his passes against Fulham in the Premier League on 28 September, as per Sofascore.
While Elliott was taken off at half-time in the 3-1 win, he blocked one shot, was fouled once, made one recovery and won one ground duel, showcasing his ability to help the team defensively.
The playmaker can also feature out wide, something he did as England won the Euro Under-21, and the Spanish manager must stop being stubborn about his role in the starting lineup.
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