Aston Villa and Chelsea still enemies despite transfer pipeline, insists Emery

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has drawn a clear line under any notion of friendship with Chelsea, framing the clubs’ relationship as purely transactional amid a summer of high-profile comings and goings.

Emery rejects the idea of cordial ties with Chelsea

Emery dismissed suggestions that Villa and Chelsea share anything beyond the cold arithmetic of transfer deals. “Good relations? The relationship is only through the deals – for money, for other players,” he said. “They want to kill us. And we want to kill them … it is not a good relationship.”

The latest exchanges underscore his point. Chelsea paid £117m for Morgan Rogers, a British record, while Villa moved in the opposite direction for Nicolas Jackson in a deal worth up to £65m. Alejandro Garnacho joined Villa from Chelsea on a loan with a conditional obligation to buy, and Emiliano Martínez returned to Chelsea for £7.5m after twice expressing his desire to leave Villa Park. Staff changes have followed the same pattern: Austin MacPhee, Villa’s set-piece coach, joined Chelsea this summer.

Emery’s blunt assessment reflects a pattern that stretches back years. Axel Disasi arrived at Villa on loan last season before Chelsea paid £37.5m for Ian Maatsen in 2024. Carney Chukwuemeka and Omari Kellyman moved from Chelsea to Villa in 2022 and 2024 respectively, while Chelsea have also landed players like Ian Maatsen and Morgan Rogers from Villa in recent windows.

Villa’s transfer activity sets the stage for Monday’s clash with Arsenal

Villa will host Arsenal on Monday aiming to rebound from a 4-0 defeat at Brighton, and Emery could throw Nicolas Jackson, Leon Goretzka and Zion Suzuki straight into the fray. “I know we must rebuild the team,” he said. “We will need time. But we must compete on Monday.”

The incoming quartet arrives as Villa prepare for their Champions League return, a step up that contrasts with Chelsea’s winless finish to last season. Emery’s side have already shown they can unsettle established rivals, while Chelsea’s summer has been defined by both heavy investment and early setbacks.

Chelsea’s perfect start comes with caveats

Chelsea began the season with a 4-3 victory over Brighton, but the match was far from straightforward. Referee Michael Oliver emerged for the second half without his communications pack, forcing a delay while the issue was resolved. Despite the disruption, Chelsea held firm to claim all three points, maintaining their unbeaten start under Xabi Alonso.

Alonso’s side have been active in the market, with reports suggesting they remain in pursuit of Enzo Fernández, though Manchester City appear to be edging closer. Chelsea have also been linked with Lamine Camara from Monaco, with only final details remaining.

Villa’s next move may yet involve Jackson, whose arrival would cap a summer of significant investment. Chelsea, meanwhile, must balance ambition with pragmatism as they chase points and potential signings. The stage is set for a fiercely contested Premier League season, where every point and every deal carries weight.

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