‘They Want to Kill Us’ – Emery Dismisses Chelsea-Villa ‘Good Relationship’ Amid Transfer Surge

Unai Emery has rejected suggestions that Aston Villa and Chelsea enjoy a close relationship despite an extraordinary run of player transfers between the two Premier League clubs.

The latest deal saw Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez complete his move from Villa to Chelsea on Sunday, just days after Nicolas Jackson switched from Stamford Bridge to Villa. The two clubs have now exchanged eight players through permanent and loan deals over the past four years.

No other Premier League clubs have traded more players between themselves during that period. However, Emery insists the frequent transactions are driven by business rather than friendship.

“Good relations?” Emery said. “They want to kill us and we want to kill them!” The Villa manager added that having the opportunity to sign players from Chelsea does not mean the clubs have a special relationship, describing the deals as simply exchanges involving money and players.

The transfer relationship began in 2022, after Chelsea’s owners, BlueCo, took control of the club. Carney Chukwuemeka was the first major move, joining Chelsea from Villa for £20 million that summer.

Since then, Ian Maatsen moved to Villa for £37.5 million, while Omari Kellyman joined Chelsea for £19 million. Axel Disasi also spent time at Villa on a loan deal worth £5 million.

The clubs have completed four more deals during the current summer window. Chelsea signed Morgan Rogers for £117 million, while Alejandro Garnacho joined Villa on loan with a conditional obligation to buy worth about £43 million. Jackson then moved to Villa for £65 million before Martinez completed his switch to Chelsea.

Chelsea have spent £163.5 million on Villa players since 2022, while Villa have paid £102.5 million for Chelsea players, including Disasi’s loan fee. Villa’s spending could rise to £150.5 million if the conditions attached to Garnacho’s deal are met, with Chelsea reportedly confident they will be triggered.

Despite the remarkable flow of players between the clubs, Emery made it clear that the rivalry remains firmly intact on the pitch. “I am happy for Emiliano Martinez and Morgan Rogers and I know I am not happy for Chelsea,” he said