When seen in isolation Emma's acts might seem manipulated, but when one traces the whole sequence I see it as something different;

Emma decides to match Harriet with Elton from the very first moment, and decides;

"I would have you so firmly established in good society, as to be independent even of Hartfield and Miss Woodhouse. I want to see you permanently well connected..."

For this, comparing and contrasting 'good' society with the Martins and Robert was the unfortunate outcome.
She is starightforward in what she wants to convey to Harriet. There I see no manipulation.

There does seem to be an urgency though, in her actions, also mentioned in CH:4
"The longer she considered it, the greater was her sense of its expediency"

Influencing a very silly Harriet over the proposal did involve some pressure from Emma considering the urgency.
But this is really a paradox.

A 'simple Harriet' catches the thought in the manipulation by Emma, who also keeps saying 'I don't want to influence you', and that she had to think for herself.

Manipulation there was, that Harriet caught the one rather than the other is interesting.

I think there are many who do consider Emma a 'villainess' :)

She's wrong in arranging a match for Harriet in what she thinks is a kindness to Harriet, into a class she imagines she belongs.