Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has rejected the perception that his side and Chelsea have developed a friendly relationship, despite the increasing number of players exchanged between the two Premier League clubs.
The latest transfer saw goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez leave Villa for Chelsea on Sunday, becoming the eighth player to move between the clubs in either a permanent or temporary deal over the last four years.
The development followed Nicolas Jackson’s switch from Chelsea to Villa, adding to an unusual pattern of player movements between the two sides.
However, Emery insisted that the frequent deals should not be mistaken for a strong relationship between the clubs, stressing that both sides remain competitors on the pitch.
“Good relations?” Emery said. “They want to kill us and we want to kill them!
“We have good players and we can sign one player off them, it’s not a good relationship, it’s a deal for money and a deal for players.
“I am happy for Emiliano Martinez and Morgan Rogers and I know I am not happy for Chelsea.”
The transfer connection between the clubs became more noticeable after BlueCo took control of Chelsea in 2022. Carney Chukwuemeka was among the first players to make the switch, joining Chelsea from Villa for £20m.
Other deals followed, including Ian Maatsen’s £37.5m move to Villa and Omari Kellyman’s £19m transfer to Chelsea. Axel Disasi also spent time at Villa on loan in a deal that cost the club £5m.
The relationship continued to dominate the transfer market this summer. Morgan Rogers joined Chelsea for £117m, while Alejandro Garnacho moved to Villa on loan in a deal that could eventually be worth around £43m.
Jackson later completed a £65m transfer to Villa before Martinez followed the opposite route to Chelsea.
Since 2022, Chelsea have spent £163.5m acquiring players from Villa, while Villa have committed £102.5m to Chelsea players, including Disasi’s loan fee.
Villa’s total could increase to £150.5m if the conditions attached to Garnacho’s agreement are fulfilled and his move becomes permanent.
