'Don't care if it's Lionel Messi!' - Aston Villa criticised for 'crimes' of Harvey Elliott's new shirt number following move from Liverpool

Instead of celebrating the arrival of one of England’s brightest young midfielders, the talking point across the Villa fanbase has quickly shifted to a single, bold decision – Elliott being handed the iconic No.9 shirt. Traditionally reserved for centre forwards, and the decision to hand it to Elliott, usually deployed as a creative midfielder or wide playmaker, has caused uproar among supporters.

Social media exploded with fury as Villa fans took aim at the decision. 

One supporter, @ctsmclovinya, fumed: "I don’t care if it’s Lionel Messi, giving a midfielder the number 9 shirt is a crime against everything football stands for."

@_Zeets said: "Number 9 as a midfielder? Enough is enough."

@wwfc2004 wrote bluntly: “Number 9 game is absolutely finished.”

@DOUGLASLUlZ was more forgiving but still baffled: “Don’t like the 9 choice, but this guy is so cold. Villa’s best ever RW? What a player, what a footballer. Him, Rogers and Sanch – straight vibes.”

And perhaps the sharpest jibe of the day came from @MoloneyBilly: "That should be illegal if you’re not a striker."

While Villa fans argue over shirt etiquette, Elliott himself has his eyes fixed on far bigger prizes. The midfielder, crowned Player of the Tournament at the European Under-21 Championships in Slovakia, believes this move could push him into Thomas Tuchel’s England senior squad ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

Speaking earlier in the summer, Elliott insisted his focus is on becoming a member of the Three Lions: "I want to prove myself at the highest level and fight for a place with England at the World Cup."

Elliott may not be the only big name debuting for Villa when they face Everton on September 13. The Liverpool loanee could line up alongside another fresh arrival, Jadon Sancho, as the club ushers in a new era of flair and ambition.