Aston Villa are reportedly weighing up a move for Nicolas Jackson, with former chief executive Keith Wyness branding the striker’s potential switch a smart option to reignite his Premier League career.
The Senegal international has struggled for form at Chelsea since his £117 million arrival, and Villa Park could offer the perfect reset under Unai Emery. The Villans made an enquiry into Jackson’s availability as part of Morgan Rogers’ £117 million Chelsea talks, according to Football Insider.
What did the source say?
Wyness, who ran Villa Park between 2016 and 2018, told Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast that Emery remains the manager most likely to unlock Jackson’s potential. The Villans have long tracked the 25-year-old, who scored 11 goals in 34 games during a loan spell with Bayern Munich last season.
“There is a big link there. Not only did Emery work with him, I think he gave him his debut at Villarreal,” Wyness said. “So I think there’s definitely history there. Emery is probably the one that he may respond well to, and I think it could be a good move for him.”
Villa finished fourth in the Premier League last season with 65 points, 20 behind champions Arsenal, and are already reshaping their squad under Emery. The club have spent heavily this summer, with their transfer outlay mirroring Chelsea’s approach to Jackson’s deal.
Why it matters for Aston Villa
Jackson’s future at Stamford Bridge is cloudy after Xabi Alonso took charge at Chelsea. The new Blues boss may not see a place for the striker, who has yet to justify his £117 million price tag. Villa’s interest comes as Emery looks to add firepower to a side that scored 56 goals last term but conceded 49.
Wyness, now a consultancy boss advising elite clubs, argued that Emery’s past connection with Jackson could be the missing piece. The Villans were linked with the forward last summer and remain in the hunt this time around, despite Jackson’s stated desire to impress Alonso in pre-season.
What comes next?
Villa must now convince Jackson that a move to Birmingham is the right call. The striker’s reluctance to push for a Chelsea exit complicates matters, but several Premier League clubs are circling. Emery’s next transfer window move could hinge on whether he can land his former Villarreal target.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 4th in Premier League, 65 pts, 19W-8D-11L from 38 games, recent form WWDLL. Last result: Manchester City 1-2 Aston Villa (2026-05-24). Next fixture: vs Hull City (away, 2026-09-05).
