Aston Villa ready to go head-to-head with Crystal Palace to sign Tottenham ace Brennan Johnson in January

Any serious move for Johnson could be closely linked to Villa’s current situation with Elliott. The Liverpool loanee has struggled to make an impact since arriving, managing just five appearances this season. Emery has been unusually candid in public, hinting that Elliott may not feature again, a stance that has raised eyebrows given the expectations surrounding his arrival. Behind the scenes, there is growing acceptance that Elliott’s signing was driven by former sporting director Monchi, who departed Villa shortly after the deal was completed. Emery has remained unconvinced by Elliott’s adaptation to the physical and tactical demands of Villa’s system. 

With Premier League Profit and Sustainability Regulations also a pressing concern, triggering a £35m obligation for a player not central to the manager’s plans has been viewed as an unnecessary risk. While Liverpool do not possess a recall option, Villa are understood to be actively exploring ways to send Elliott back to Anfield in the January window. Should that exit materialise, it would open a clear pathway for Villa to reassess their attacking options, potentially placing Johnson firmly in their sights.