Jackson to Aston Villa: A diamond Emery can polish - and another great sale by Chelsea

Analysis

Matthew Judge | Editor

After a summer of speculation surrounding his future, Nicolas Jackson is on the verge of finding a new home at Aston Villa.

The 25-year-old is set join the Europa League champions after a package worth €76million (£65m) was agreed with Chelsea on Wednesday.

STATS

Nicolas Jackson

F (C)

Bayern

Nicolas Jackson

F (C)

Bayern

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 34

  Games

• 11

  Goals

• 4

  Assists

View all stats

While some have raised eyebrows over the fee, it is a move which nonetheless appears to make sense for all parties involved.

Here, FootballTransfers takes a look at what Villa, Chelsea and Jackson stand to gain from the move as it nears completion.

Aston Villa - a rough diamond Emery can polish?

Villa have been scouring the market for a replacement for Ollie Watkins - their talismanic striker who is closing in on a move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hilal.

The England international has been more than a (very good) goalscorer for Unai Emery’s side, having recorded the most assists (13) in the 2023-24 Premier League season.

However, the good news for Emery and Villa is that Jackson is a striker who has the potential to become as complete a striker as Watkins.

Jackson has recorded 22 assists for Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Villarreal over the years - a healthy return considering he has not always been a guaranteed starter.

Compared

Ollie Watkins

F (C)

A. Villa

Ollie Watkins

F (C)

A. Villa

VS

Nicolas Jackson

F (C)

Chelsea

Nicolas Jackson

F (C)

Chelsea

2025/2026

Season Statistics

2023/2024

55	Appearances	44
21	Goals	17
5	Assists	6
36	Key Passes	53

And while the Senegal forward's tally is 25 fewer than Watkins’ total for Villa, he is five years younger and has time to get there.

Jackson is also tailor-made for Emery's style of play considering he - like Watkins - loves to make penetrating runs in behind.

However, it is an area of his game which needs refining.

The attacker still struggles to time his runs properly, having been caught offside five times in the World Cup games against France and Norway this summer.

But Jackson will hope a reunion with former Villarreal boss Emery will allow him to become as well-rounded as Watkins was under the Spaniard's tutelage.

Chelsea - another great sale in Alonso’s first window?

Should Jackson complete his move to Villa, his departure would cement what has been one of the best transfer windows in Chelsea’s recent history.

Recognising the need to change their transfer strategy after finishing 10th last term, Chelsea have allowed new manager Xabi Alonso to call the shots this summer.

Enjoying greater freedom than his predecessors, the Spaniard has targeted Premier League experience to help nurture a young, talented squad.

And following the subsequent arrivals of Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson - as well as the potential capture of Emiliano Martinez from Villa - Chelsea are being tipped for success this season.

The Blues have also balanced off their €407m (£349m) outlay by raking in over €165million (£141m) for Andrey Santos, Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah and Tyrique George, with more sales to come before deadline day.

Chelsea have also offloaded Liam Delap to Nottingham Forest for €52.45m (£45m), netting them an incredible €17m (£15m) profit on a player who struggled for form and fitness last season, scoring just one league goal.

They have trimmed their squad fat further by loaning out Filip Jorgensen, Benoit Badiashile and Alejandro Garnacho, with the latter poised to join Villa permanently for a reported €50m (£43m) at the end of the season.

And Chelsea’s hot streak will continue if Jackson heads to Villa for an initial €55.3m (£47.5m) plus €20.4m (£17.5m) in add-ons - which, again, would net them a nice profit on the €37m (£32m) they paid Villarreal for his services in June 2023.

Related stories:

Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Chelsea signing, Aston Villa surprise, Arsenal attack

Transfer Rumours: Arsenal barge into Igor Paixao race as €30m hijack completed

Premier League summer transfers 2026: All the Done Deals