Jackson's fast start at Aston Villa draws praise after win over Man City
Nicolas Jackson has scored seven goals in his first 11 Aston Villa appearances, including a double against Manchester City, as pundits debate whether he is an upgrade on predecessor Ollie Watkins.
Nicolas Jackson's two goals in Aston Villa's win over Manchester City on Saturday continued an impressive opening to his Villa career, with the Senegal striker scoring seven times in his first 11 appearances for the club, including six in his last six games. Villa signed the 25-year-old from Chelsea in the summer, with the deal worth up to £65m, as a direct replacement for Ollie Watkins, who had been the club's main source of goals for the previous six seasons before joining Al-Hilal in August.
Jackson's early output at Villa compares favourably with his Chelsea record on several measures. He scored 24 goals in 65 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, averaging a goal every 210 minutes with a 15% shot conversion rate; at Villa he has four league goals in seven games, a goal every 138 minutes and a 21% conversion rate. The article also notes that he is outperforming his expected goals tally by exactly two, and that both of Villa's shots on target against City came from his right foot and both found the net.
Former Villa and England defender Martin Keown told BBC Sport he has liked Jackson all season and considers him key to Villa's success, describing him as an upgrade on Watkins. Keown said Watkins was magnificent for the club but that Jackson is more of a predator in and around the penalty area, praising his pace and noting that he had previously worked with Villa manager Unai Emery at Villarreal. Jackson himself told BBC Match of the Day that the players, manager and team are incredible and that he is very happy at the club.
The win over City came on the fourth anniversary of Emery's appointment. Under the Spaniard, Villa have become regulars in the upper reaches of the Premier League and in European competition, and won the Europa League to end a 30-year wait for a major trophy. Former Scotland defender Rachel Corsie told BBC Radio 5 Live that Emery is unique in his intense focus on tactical detail and his constant effort to improve players individually, adding that many players arrive at Villa and thrive.
Emery said he knew Jackson from Villarreal, where the striker played before joining Chelsea, and that he understands his capacity to exploit his qualities as well as his humility. Jackson said settling at a new club is not easy but has been made easier by the coach and the players, describing the dressing room and manager as incredible. The article suggests that if his current form continues, his fee may prove a bargain.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
