Jackson double downs Manchester City as Villa's fast start continues

Nicolas Jackson scored both goals as Aston Villa defeated Manchester City 2-1 in Saturday's match, and both of Villa's shots on target in the game came from his right foot and ended in the net.

Signed from Chelsea as a direct replacement for Ollie Watkins, Jackson has scored seven times in his first 11 appearances for Villa, including six in his last six games, and his form has helped Villa to a 100% start in the Champions League while aiding a recovery after a slow Premier League opening.

Jackson's club career included three years at Villarreal before Chelsea paid £35m to sign him, and he then spent two full seasons at Chelsea after joining in 2023, plus a year on loan at Bayern Munich, before moving to Villa in the summer for a deal worth up to £65m.

Statistical comparisons in the article show Jackson scored 24 goals in 65 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, averaging a goal every 210 minutes with a 15% shot conversion rate, and, on the Villa side of the comparison, he was cited as four in seven games for Villa, averaging a goal every 138 minutes with a 21% shot conversion rate.

One criticism of Jackson's time at Chelsea was that he created many chances but did not convert enough of them; in his early weeks at Villa he is outperforming his expected goals tally by exactly two.

Former Villa and England defender Martin Keown told BBC Sport: "I've liked him all season. I think he's key to Villa's success. "I think he's an upgrade on Ollie Watkins, I really do. "Ollie was magnificent for them, but this guy is more of a predator [in and around the penalty area]. Pace will always trouble top defenders and he's got it in abundance. "I think having worked with the manager before at Villarreal, he's sort of fast-tracking his quick development. "He looks like a really good piece of business right now."

Jackson's connection with manager Unai Emery dates back to his time at Villarreal, and Saturday's win came on the fourth anniversary of Emery's appointment as Villa boss; under Emery the club have become regular competitors in European competition and ended a 30-year wait for a major trophy by winning the Europa League. Former Scotland defender Rachel Corsie told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Emery is quite unique. A lot of coaches will focus on the tactical detail, but he's so intense with it. "I remember from when I was here that his car is always at the training ground. I know people will say that's a natural thing and the life of a manager, but I would say it's an incredible amount of time. "He loves to get the detail right. He never gets tired of trying to better people individually and that takes an incredible amount of work. So many players come here, improve and thrive." Emery said to BBC Match of the Day: "I knew him at Villarreal and he started playing the level he is now. I know his capacity to exploit his qualities and I know, as well, his humility. "The mentality is coming through - how focused he is in life and professional career." Jackson told TNT Sports: "It's not easy [to settle at a new club] but easier because of the coach and the players. "It's an incredible dressing room with an incredible manager. I'm very happy to be here and hopefully I will score many goals."

Jackson's finishing in the Manchester City game and his early goal return have contributed to Villa's perfect start in the Champions League and are a notable element of the club's recovery from a slow start in the Premier League.