Elliott plays again but remains stuck on the fringesElliott was drafted in because of Villa’s injury crisis. Even with Elliott starting and finishing the match, nothing about his status shifted. There is also a contractual reality, if he reaches 10 appearances, Villa are obliged to buy him. Villa are managing injuries but not building a future around Elliott. Elliott’s return showed he can still perform at this level but it also showed that performance alone will not change his status.