Unai Emery Rejects Friendship Claims with Chelsea Amid Busy Transfer Season
Unai Emery, the manager of Aston Villa, has firmly rejected any suggestion that his club shares a friendly relationship with Chelsea. Despite a summer packed with high-profile transfers between the two clubs, Emery insists the rivalry remains intense both on and off the pitch.
Transfer Activity Spurs Speculation
The two Premier League clubs have been involved in several notable player moves recently. This window saw Emiliano Martinez move to Stamford Bridge for £7.5 million, following the massive £117 million transfer of Morgan Rogers. In exchange, Villa signed Nicolas Jackson for a club-record fee up to £65 million, while Alejandro Garnacho joined on loan with a conditional obligation to buy.
- Chelsea to Villa: £163.5 million since 2022
- Villa to Chelsea: £102.5 million since 2022, potentially rising to £150.5 million if Garnacho's deal is made permanent
The volume and value of these deals have drawn attention across the Premier League, though no financial misconduct has been indicated.
Emery’s Take on the Relationship
"Good relations? The relationship is only through the deals – for money, for other players," said Emery. "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."
Emery highlighted that Chelsea’s signing of key figures, including set-piece coach Austin MacPhee, seemed aimed at weakening Villa. He added, "They are signing Morgan, they are signing Emiliano Martinez to kill us. I am happy for Emiliano Martinez, I am happy for Morgan Rogers and, of course, I know I am not happy for Chelsea."
Villa’s Major Squad Changes
This summer saw Villa lose six regular starters from their Europa League-winning team, including Martinez and star striker Ollie Watkins, who moved to Al-Hilal. Emery faces the challenge of integrating new signings like 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 Clash Against Arsenal
Villa's next game is a tough home match against reigning champions Arsenal, coming after a heavy 4-0 loss to Brighton. Emery might give debuts to new players Jackson, Goretzka, and Suzuki as he looks to strengthen the squad quickly.
"Arsenal are the favourites," Emery said. "Arsenal, looking at the team with [Mikel] Arteta there seven years in a row, are getting better and better and are investing more and more. They are getting bigger and 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 fixture: Aston Villa vs Arsenal, 31 Aug 2026, 21:00
- Following fixture: Arsenal vs Chelsea, 6 Sept 2026, 17:30
