Elliott joined Aston Villa last September on a deal that included a £35 million obligation to buy, triggered by ten Premier League appearances. He made four. With Friday's home game against Liverpool the penultimate fixture of the season, the clause has now definitively expired without being activated.
"To now explain about the reason for this decision is very difficult, or it is easy, but it is not the moment," said Villa manager Emery.
"Of course, it is something embarrassing for everyone involved. My apologies for Harvey Elliott is every day in my mind. But it is about responsibility — we have our responsibility and Liverpool have their responsibility. It is something, as a human and as a person, how the season has gone has been difficult."
Earlier in the season, in February, Emery was more expansive about the structural trap both clubs had constructed around the 23-year-old.
"My sport decision is still there — 'You are deserving to play, we need your qualities in the field, you are going to play.' But in case the clauses are still there, now it is Liverpool — they have the key."
"I know we are damaging him. It can change for him, in case Liverpool take off this clause. If they don't want to, okay, but the player is getting damaged."
He was equally open about the human cost to Elliott, who trained every day without complaint throughout the ordeal.
"He's a calm guy, good guy, and a fantastic professional. He must play, and he's really being patient."
Monchi, the sporting director who negotiated the original deal, left Villa shortly after the summer window closed, leaving Emery to manage the consequences of an arrangement he was not fully behind from the start.
Elliott has made nine appearances across all competitions, totalling just 284 minutes. His only goal came in the Carabao Cup against Brentford in the opening weeks of the season. Liverpool head coach Arne Slot confirmed this week that Elliott will return to Anfield for pre-season. His contract at Liverpool expires in the summer of 2027, giving the club one more window to either integrate him or sell.