Late last night, Aston Villa confirmed the signings of Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott. Sancho joins on a season-long loan without any buy option. Elliott joins on loan with an obligation to buy for £30-£35 million next summer. The obligation is conditional on Elliott making 10 appearances for Villa this season. Liverpool are said to have a buy-back option and a sell-on clause.
Both signings bring Villa added quality to their attacking ranks and have been positions Unai Emery has wanted to improve on this summer. The international break gives both players the chance to embed themselves in the Villa team and work with Emery to learn how he wants them to play. With the Villans potentially playing over 50 games this season, Sancho and Elliott will have opportunities to show what they are capable of.
Jadon Sancho Interview
In his first interview with the club, Sancho spoke about how his call with Emery was a key reason for joining Aston Villa.
"When I spoke to the manager he gave me belief and confidence. He showed me the plan of what they want to achieve this year and it really inspired me. He definitely persuaded me, and I can’t wait to work under him"
He also discussed his ambitions for the season and reiterated his focus on the team succeeding.
"As a player and especially as a team, we have to be achieving big things. We have to be looking towards that, and hopefully I can help the team to achieve some of those goals."
"The team comes first, so whenever the manager needs me I’ll be ready. I've got individual goals, but my main goal is for the team. Achieving something as a team is much more special than individually."
Sancho also mentioned what Marcus Rashford had to say to him during his time at Villa Park.
"I spoke to him while he was here last season and I know he really enjoyed it. He said so many lovely things about the club, like how it’s a family and you feel that friendly environment with great players and staff. I definitely felt that as I came in."
Harvey Elliott's Interview
Harvey Elliott expressed his excitement for joining Villa and starting a new chapter in his career.
"It feels incredible. First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for making this happen. Playing for a massive club like Aston Villa is every kid’s dream. I’m very happy that it’s over the line now, and I can’t wait to get started."
"For me now, it’s about kicking on as a player. The only way to do that is to play games and there’s no better place to do that than here, especially with the manager, his philosophy, the way he plays and his trust in younger players."
Like Sancho, Elliott spoke about the influence of Emery in his decision for joining the club.
"Not only that, his personal achievements as well, I was very drawn to it. I had a conversation with him and was blown away by the way he was towards me and how welcoming he was to me before I was an Aston Villa player. It made me want it a little bit more."
"He was very welcoming and what he had to say me before I was even a Villa player took my heart and it was feeling I had within myself that I wanted to be here and I wanted to play for him."
"I want to give my all for him as a coach and as a person for giving me trust and allowing me to come here to a massive club when he could have got many players around the world. The only way I can repay him is by working as hard as I can and leaving everything out on the pitch for him."
Villa supporters will be excited to see what both Sancho and Elliott can do in claret and blue. They are at pivotal times in their career and will want this next chapter with Aston Villa to be successful.
