Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has dismissed suggestions that his club has a close relationship with Chelsea, despite a growing list of transfer deals between the two Premier League sides.
The two clubs have been particularly active in the transfer market this summer, with four players involved in moves between Villa Park and Stamford Bridge.
The latest saw Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez complete his move from Aston Villa to Chelsea on Sunday, just days after Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson joined Villa in a £65m deal.
Martinez’s transfer made him the eighth player to move between the two clubs over the past four years, with no other two Premier League clubs exchanging as many players through permanent and loan deals during that period.
However, Emery insisted that the frequent transfer activity should not be interpreted as evidence of a close relationship between the clubs.
Asked about the apparent connection between Chelsea and Villa in the transfer market, Emery responded bluntly: “Good relations? They want to kill us and we want to kill them!”
The Spanish manager explained that the deals were simply business transactions based on the quality of players and the financial interests of both clubs.
“We have good players and we can sign one player off them, but it’s not a good relationship,” Emery said.
“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 dealings between the clubs began in 2022, following Chelsea’s takeover by BlueCo, with Carney Chukwuemeka becoming the first player to move between the sides after joining Chelsea from Villa for £20m.
Since then, the clubs have continued to conduct significant business.
Ian Maatsen moved from Chelsea to Villa for £37.5m, while Omari Kellyman went in the opposite direction for £19m. Villa also secured Axel Disasi on loan for a reported £5m.
The relationship in the transfer market has become even more active this summer.
Morgan Rogers left Villa for Chelsea in a £117m deal, while Alejandro Garnacho joined Villa on loan with a conditional obligation to buy in a deal that could be worth around £43m.
Jackson then completed his move from Chelsea to Villa for £65m before Martinez followed him in the opposite direction to Stamford Bridge.
Since 2022, Chelsea have paid Aston Villa £163.5m for players, while Villa have spent £102.5m on Chelsea players, including Disasi’s loan fee.
Villa’s spending on Chelsea players could rise to £150.5m if the conditions attached to Garnacho’s deal are met and the move becomes permanent.
Despite the remarkable number of deals between the clubs, Emery believes the transfer activity has nothing to do with friendship or a special relationship.
For the Villa boss, the two clubs remain fierce competitors on the pitch, regardless of how frequently they do business away from it.
Advertisement