Unai Emery Rejects Talk of Friendship with Chelsea Despite Heavy Transfer Activity

Aston Villa's manager Unai Emery has firmly dismissed claims that his club shares a friendly bond with Chelsea, despite a busy summer involving several high-profile player transfers between the two clubs. Emery stressed that the Premier League's competitive nature means both teams are rivals determined to outperform each other on and off the pitch.

Transfer Frenzy Between Aston Villa and Chelsea

The transfer market has seen intense dealings between Aston Villa and Chelsea over recent years. This summer, Emiliano Martinez moved to Stamford Bridge for £7.5 million following Morgan Rogers' impressive £117 million transfer. In return, Villa secured Nicolas Jackson for a club-record fee potentially reaching £65 million, while Alejandro Garnacho arrived on loan with an obligation to buy under certain conditions.

The financial exchange is significant. Since 2022, Chelsea has paid Villa a total of £163.5 million, whereas Villa has spent £102.5 million on Chelsea players—an amount possibly increasing to £150.5 million if Garnacho’s transfer becomes permanent. The volume of these deals has drawn attention from other Premier League officials, though no rules have been suggested to be broken.

Emery Calls Out Rivalry Despite Transfers

Despite the frequent contact needed for these transactions, Emery quickly shut down any ideas of a growing friendship between the clubs. He emphasized the relationship remains strictly business-driven.

"Good relations? The relationship is only through the deals – for money, for other players," Emery said. "They want to kill us. And we want to kill them… it is not a good relationship. Of course, because we have good players and we can as well sign players from them, but it’s not a good relationship, it’s a deal for money and a deal for players."

The Villa boss also pointed out that Chelsea’s recruitment of key figures, including set-piece coach Austin MacPhee, was aimed at weakening Villa’s squad. "They are signing Morgan, they are signing Emiliano Martinez to kill us," he added. "I am happy for Emiliano Martinez, I am happy for Morgan Rogers and, of course, I know I am not happy for Chelsea."

Villa Faces Rebuild After Key Departures

This summer saw Villa lose six regular starters, including Emiliano Martinez and star striker Ollie Watkins, who transferred to Al-Hilal. Emery acknowledged the challenge of integrating new players such as Leon Goretzka and Zion Suzuki.

"I know we must rebuild the team," Emery said. "We will need time. But we must compete on Monday. We needed to compete last Sunday in Brighton but we didn’t compete. We are working every day as fast as possible to be ready, everybody."

Upcoming Match Against Arsenal

Villa faces a tough test hosting reigning champions Arsenal on Monday, aiming to bounce back from a heavy 4-0 defeat at Brighton. Emery may give debuts to newcomers Jackson, Goretzka, and Suzuki as the squad rebuild continues.

"Arsenal are the favourites," Emery noted. "Looking at the team with [Mikel] Arteta there seven years in a row, they are getting better and better and are investing more and more. They are growing bigger as a club with the players they can sign. Arteta is doing a fantastic job. Arsenal are the favourites to win the Premier League and to win the Champions League. I like watching them a lot."

• Next Aston Villa match: vs Arsenal, 31 Aug 2026, 21:00
• Arsenal next match: vs Chelsea, 6 Sept 2026, 17:30