Aston Villa are transitioning since the autumn managerial appointment of Unai Emery, with the Spaniard targeting his former starlet Nicolas Jackson to bolster the forward ranks. 

Having enjoyed a fruitful few years with Villarreal, winning the 2020/21 Europa League final against Manchester United, Emery is seemingly desperate to sprinkle some of the talent from the Spanish club over Villa Park, with Jackson viewed as an heir to the talismanic throne in the Midlands.

The Mirror reported earlier this month that the Senegal forward was accompanied by Yellow Submarine team-mate Arnaut Danjuma in being of interest to Villa, with the wide attacking positions identified by NSWE as areas in need of swift reinforcement.

Reportedly possessing a £27m release clause, Jackson could be a shrewd signing should the pieces fall into place over the coming weeks, with his technical prowess hinting at a promising future at the top level. 

Emery’s next Aubameyang

A budding phenomenon who Emery already knows well, having promoted him to the Villarreal first-team, Jackson could prove to be a star-studded predator wreaking havoc on Premier League defences for years to come. 

Currently thriving in his breakout season, the 21-year-old has scored three goals and two assists from ten starts (and 21 appearances in total) this term, having had just a handful of games in 2021/22. 

As per FBref, the dynamic forward has started to earn his stripes with some impressive metrics which belie his inexperience; he ranks within the top 22% for rate of assists, the top 18% for progressive passes and 17% for blocks when compared to forwards across Europe’s top five leagues this past year. 

He is at the outset of a potentially impressive career, and he could soar under Emery’s wing if he comes to Aston Villa.. 

Indeed, under the tutelage of his former boss, the 21-year-old could emulate the success of a former Premier League star in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who enjoyed much success while playing for Arsenal under Emery.

Aubameyang scored 41 goals from 67 appearances under the 51-year-old's management and stood out as perhaps one of Europe’s most formidable forwards during that time. 

The Villa boss has nurtured an abundance of attacking talent over his career and can back up his man management with a CV boasting plenty of silverware, something that the Villa faithful will be desperately hoping will rub off on their club. 

Lauded as “exciting” by journalist Josh Bunting, Jackson can continue his rise, building on his striking skills, and using the likes of the veteran Aubamaeyang as an inspiration for the trajectory of his own career. 

Aston Villa must strike a deal for the Senegalese prodigy possessing “bags of potential”, as branded by journalist Ashley Preece, and unleash a refined and devastating young talent on their opposition.