iPod touch 5th gen Activation Lock with deleted Apple ID

I have an ipod touch 5th gen that I haven't touched in years. I want to use it, but it prompts me to fill out Apple ID information for an activation lock, and while I have access to the email and I do miraculously know the password, due to the Apple ID being dormant for years I think the ID has been deleted (at least based on me not being able to reset the password after because it says the email is not associated with an account, even though I know for sure it was the email used).

I also tried to do a full recovery, including wiping data, but it still prompts me to input the information to unlock the activation lock.

Is there any way I can still use this iPod? As I said, I have the email and password associated with the now-defunct Apple ID, but that isn't working, and I obviously do not have the receipt for this device... I don't know what else to do, I'd like it just factory reset at this point. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!