Emery Says Chelsea and Villa Don't Have a Good Relationship

Aston Villa coach Unai Emery has rejected claims that there is a good relationship between Chelsea and his club. This comes despite a number of player transfers between the two English Premier League teams.

Emiliano Martinez made his move from Villa to Chelsea on Sunday. He is now the eighth player to switch between the clubs in the last four years.

The Argentine goalkeeper’s transfer happened just days after Nicolas Jackson joined Villa from Chelsea.

No two clubs in the Premier League have exchanged more players either on permanent or loan deals during this time.

But Emery stressed that the regular transfers should not be seen as proof of a close relationship. According to BBC Sport on Monday, Emery said, “Good relations?” He continued, “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 activity began after Chelsea's owners, BlueCo, took over the club in 2022. Carney Chukwuemeka moved from Villa to Chelsea for £20m that summer.

Since then, Ian Maatsen joined Villa for £37.5m, while Omari Kellyman moved to Chelsea for £19m. Axel Disasi also arrived at Villa on loan for £5m.

Four more deals have been completed this summer.

Morgan Rogers moved to Chelsea for £117m, and Alejandro Garnacho joined Villa on loan. His move includes a conditional obligation to buy, valued at around £43m.

Jackson then transferred to Villa for £65m, and shortly after, Martinez followed him to Chelsea.

Chelsea has paid Villa £163.5m for players since 2022, while Villa has spent £102.5m on players from Chelsea, counting Disasi’s loan fee.

This amount could increase to £150.5m if certain conditions are met for Garnacho’s transfer to become permanent. Chelsea is confident those conditions are easy to meet.