Harvey Elliot says he left Liverpool to be 'selfish' as he joins Aston Villa

Harvey Elliot said he had to be "selfish" in deciding to leave Liverpool, after sealing a season-long loan to Aston Villa that includes an obligation to make the move permanent next summer for a reported £35 million.

The 22-year-old, who spent six years at Liverpool, told reporters the decisive factor in his move was the need for regular first-team football. "I think the most important thing for me when I was making the decision was to be playing first-team football," he said. "I need to be in a team where I’m getting regular minutes. Whether that’s starting or coming off the bench, just having that feeling of going into a matchday knowing you’re going to play, that’s the only way I can improve now."

Elliot added that his affection for Liverpool would remain: "The love I have for Liverpool is still going to be there forever, that’s not going to change, I’m still going to be watching and looking out for them from afar. I’m wishing them all the very best. But sometimes in football you need to be selfish. I made the decision to leave because I wanted to do what’s best for me."

The Surrey-born midfielder said he had been the subject of interest from clubs in England and abroad, including RB Leipzig, West Ham and Fulham, where he came through the youth ranks. He said he ultimately chose Villa after being "blown away" by manager Unai Emery, praising Emery’s energy, attention to detail and personal approach. "The first time I ever spoke to him, I was blown away by the way he was and what he had to say about me," Elliot said. "As the weeks have gone on, you see it more and more. He’s a very loving figure, he’s always looking out for you and making sure you’re okay."

Elliot made his Villa debut in a goalless draw at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday. He joined Villa late on Deadline Day alongside former Manchester United players Jadon Sancho and Victor Lindelof; Lindelof also featured at Everton while Sancho remained on the bench.

Villa have struggled to start the season and entered the Everton game without a goal or a win. After the draw, Emery said he was pleased with the point and highlighted defensive discipline while acknowledging the team must improve offensively. "It's a good point and a lot of things were positive," he said. "We were defending and were disciplined. Then we have to improve offensively as we are not scoring goals. With this point, I am happy because we are building the team. This point is necessary to keep going."

Elliot said he was "over the moon" to be at Villa and expressed a desire to "kick on" and help the club reclaim the progress it showed under Emery since 2022. He suggested he welcomed the challenge of earning Emery’s trust and securing regular playing time.

The move brings an end, for now, to Elliot’s Liverpool career; the obligation to buy makes a permanent transfer likely next summer. Villa travel to Brentford for a League Cup tie on Tuesday, a match in which Elliot could make his first full start for his new club.