It has been a tough start to the new season for Aston Villa, who have failed to ignite in 2025-26 yet under Unai Emery.

The Birmingham-based outfit have won just two of their opening seven Premier League games and Villa find themselves in the bottom half of the table.

Aston Villa signed Evann Guessand over the summer but were limited in the transfer market due to financial fair play rules.

Click to subscribe to the podcast

However, one attacking midfielder that has yet to make an impact at Villa Park after joining on loan could be the catalyst for an uptick in performances for Emery’s men.

Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images

One thing that has been evident in the early part of the season is that Villa are lacking creativity in midfield, especially following the departure of Marco Asensio.

Harvey Elliott joined the Villans on loan from Liverpool late in the transfer window, but has been limited to fleeting substitute appearances so far.

The 22-year-old playmaker has been introduced from the bench by Emery on three occasions this season but is yet to show the form that made him part of Liverpool’s silverware-laden squad in recent times.

If Villa are...