Unai Emery admits Aston Villa are "damaging" Harvey Elliott by not using him extensively, but says the club are in negotiations with Liverpool to change the terms of his loan.

Elliott joined Villa on deadline day back in September, but has made just seven appearances in all competitions, and only recently came back into the matchday squads.

Should he play 10 matches for Villa during his loan spell, including five in the second half of the season, the club would trigger the obligation to buy clause, with the fee reportedly around £30m.

Elliott did not feature in a squad between October 2 and January 29, when he played 90 minutes in Villa's final Europa League league-phase match against Salzburg.

Overall, he has played just 270 minutes, and Emery believes Elliott does deserve more time on the field, especially with Villa fighting on three fronts.

"I spoke with him. We have been fair because there are two ways," said Emery.

"One way is sport, the second is business. We'll be fair in case, because we are trying it, and I told him. I spoke a few times with Harvey.

"We are speaking about it [taking off the clause with Liverpool], but not now. We started speaking about it three months ago. Of course, the transfer window was finished on Monday.

"It will be fair for him, because he's a calm guy, good guy, and he's a fantastic professional. And then his qualities are there.

"Of course, he must play, and he's really being passionate, and I know we are damaging him, because we got a deal with Liverpool in the summer, and the deal is there, and we are taking the decision responsibly from my side.

"It can change for him, in case Liverpool take off this clause – if they don't want to, okay."

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Of Elliott's seven appearances, only three of those have come from the start, while he has also netted one goal.

Villa added Tammy Abraham, Douglas Luiz and recalled Leon Bailey from his loan spell with Roma during the transfer window, but continue to struggle with injury, particularly in midfield.

John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara remain out for Villa, and Emery is keen to get Elliott in the fold – if they can reach an agreement with Liverpool.

"Now I am opening the door to play with us, because he can help us, but it's not only on my side," he added.

"The other side is Liverpool, if they are taking off the clauses they have, to play matches and for us to buy him compulsory.

"[I said to him] 'You are going to play here with us; it's a sport decision'. But now it's a sport decision and a business decision.

"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, and now it is Liverpool - they have the key."