Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery, has rejected the idea that his club enjoys a close relationship with Chelsea, despite the growing number of players who have moved between the two Premier League sides in recent years.
The latest transfer saw Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez leave Villa for Chelsea on Sunday, becoming the eighth player to switch between the clubs over the past four years.
His move came shortly after Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson completed a transfer in the opposite direction, joining Villa.
No other two Premier League clubs have exchanged as many players through permanent and loan deals during the period.
However, Emery believes the regular movement of players between the sides should not be interpreted as evidence of a strong relationship.
“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 exchanges began following BlueCo’s takeover of Chelsea in 2022, with Carney Chukwuemeka moving from Villa to Stamford Bridge for £20m that summer.
Since then, Ian Maatsen has moved to Villa for £37.5m, while Omari Kellyman joined Chelsea for £19m.
Axel Disasi also spent time at Villa on a loan deal worth £5m.
The two clubs have completed four more deals during the current summer transfer window.
Morgan Rogers moved from Villa to Chelsea for £117m, while Alejandro Garnacho joined Villa on loan with a conditional obligation to buy in a deal valued at about £43m.
Jackson subsequently moved to Villa for £65m before Martinez completed his switch to Chelsea.
Since 2022, Chelsea have spent £163.5m on players from Villa, while Villa have paid £102.5m for Chelsea players, including Disasi’s loan fee.
Villa’s spending could eventually increase to £150.5m if the conditions attached to Garnacho’s move are fulfilled and the transfer becomes permanent, with Chelsea reportedly confident that the requirements will be met.
