Menurut Slot, ketatnya persaingan internal di lini tengah Aston Villa yang dihuni banyak pemain berkualitas turut memengaruhi peluang tampil bagi mantan pemain Fulham tersebut.

"And for such a talented player that did so well in the U21 Euros [last summer], you want a player like that to get more and more playing time," sebut Arne Slot.

Slot kembali menegaskan bahwa performa tim asal Birmingham yang sangat bagus membuat dirinya enggan mencampuri urusan pemilihan pemain oleh manajer lawan.

"He went to a very, very good team as well, where they also have a lot of good players.

I don't know why he hasn't made the minutes he was expecting. That's not for me to answer," ucap Arne Slot.

Ia menambahkan bahwa situasi minim kompetisi selama berbulan-bulan berisiko menghambat momentum emas perkembangan bakat pesepak bola seusia Elliott.

"But it's always a pity if a player hardly plays for two years, let alone a player of that age that has shown during the [U21] Euros that he's such a good player," ungkap Arne Slot.

Meski mengalami masa sulit di Villa Park, Elliott dipastikan bakal langsung bergabung kembali dengan skuad utama Merseyside untuk menjalani sesi pramusim kompetisi 2026-2027.

"He's contracted to us so he will be with us in the start of the season," pungkas Arne Slot.

Permintaan Maaf Unai Emery

Sementara itu, Manajer Aston Villa Unai Emery menyampaikan permohonan maaf secara terbuka kepada publik dan sang pemain terkait keputusan pelik yang harus diambil pihak klub.

"To now explain about the reason for this decision is very difficult, or it is easy, but it is not the moment," jelas Unai Emery.