Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has offered his explanation for why Harvey Elliott was withdrawn at half-time during Sunday’s Premier League clash with Fulham, insisting the decision was driven by tactical necessity rather than dissatisfaction with the youngster’s performance.
The Spanish manager also signalled that Elliott, still adapting to Villa’s system, will require patience and continuous development as the season unfolds.
Villa secured a much-needed 3–1 comeback win over Fulham at Villa Park, overturning an early deficit thanks to a revived second-half showing. Raúl Jiménez had given Fulham the lead inside three minutes, and the visitors held onto that advantage until just before the break, when Ollie Watkins equalised.
At half-time, Emery replaced Elliott with Emi Buendía, a move that proved decisive: within minutes of entering the game, Buendía orchestrated the turnaround, assisting John McGinn for the go-ahead goal before scoring himself.
Speaking after the game, Emery was clear about the logic behind the substitution. “He needs to adapt in everything, but I changed him not because he was playing bad,” said Emery. “He was playing good, but I changed him thinking about the energy Emi Buendía gives us in that moment, and his skills as well.”
He elaborated further, adding: “Keep going, for him and I change him more tactically because Emiliano Buendía is giving us energy and his adaptation is better than Elliott. He needs time, Elliott. Emiliano did fantastic.”
Emery’s words reflect a broader perspective on Elliott’s place within the squad. The 22-year-old joined Villa on loan from Liverpool earlier in the summer, in a move that reportedly carries an obligation to buy dependent on appearances. Despite his pedigree, Elliott has yet to firmly establish himself in Villa’s starting lineups, often rotating between starts and substitute appearances.
With his transition still underway, Emery is intent on managing expectations. He emphasised the need for Elliott to internalise Villa’s identity and tactical demands before being given full licence to influence games.
The decision to bring on Buendía — a player familiar with Emery’s tactical frameworks and renowned for his energy and creativity — was vindicated. His immediate influence shifted momentum decisively.
Soon after Elliott’s departure, Villa asserted dominance, with Buendía directly involved in two quick goals that encapsulated his match impact.
In his post-match reflections, Emery lauded Buendía’s commitment: “The most important thing for the players and Emiliano is his commitment,” the manager said, pointing out that Buendía had had opportunities to leave but chose to stay and fight for his place. “He showed it every day here at Aston Villa.”
The substitution also needs to be viewed in context of Villa’s difficult start to the season. Heading into the Fulham match, Emery’s side had encountered offensive difficulties in the league, scoring just once in five games before Sunday. Confidence was fragile, and Emery was under pressure to find an incisive spark.
The decision to reshuffle at half-time underscored his willingness to be proactive and decisive rather than passive. In his remarks after the match, he acknowledged Villa “started a little bit under our energy,” but praised the side’s reaction, saying: “The result was through our energy and through our wishes to come back.”
From a tactical standpoint, the switch also addressed Villa’s need for increased tempo and creative impetus. Buendía’s willingness to press, his range of passing, and his familiarity with Emery’s methods gave the team a sharper edge in midfield.
That said, in offering his rationale, Emery stressed that the change was not punitive. “It was a tactical change, not a criticism,” the coach insisted. “He has to continue working, preparing and adapting of us, understanding everything, then using our quality in his structure.”
Elliott’s adaptation has already drawn attention elsewhere. Ahead of the Fulham game, Emery had commented that the new signing still needed time to fully grasp Villa’s identity. “He has to learn,” Emery said in a previous interview, noting that Elliott’s decision-making in certain scenarios reflected his adjustment process.