Gabby Agbonlahor flags Nicolas Jackson ‘problem’ already amid Aston Villa reports
Aston Villa have been linked Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea throughout the summer.
Despite the recent arrival of Evann Guessand, Unai Emery is seemingly determined to continue to bolster his forward line.
With Enzo Maresca confirming Jackson has no future at Chelsea, Villa may opt to bring in the Senegalese striker to reunite with Emery, with the pair previously working together at Villarreal.
However, Gabby Agbonlahor has already flagged a potential “problem” ahead of the proposed move.
Nicolas Jackson ‘not being the star man’ at Aston Villa could be an issue
With Ollie Watkins featuring in Villa’s opening day draw with Newcastle, the England international looks to be staying in B6 for the upcoming season.
Speaking on talkSPORT on 22 August, Agbonlahor suggested this could be a potential issue, with Jackson unlikely to be above Watkins in the pecking order immediately after arriving.
“We’ve got Guessand, Watkins – it’d be nice to get another one in the door,” the former Villa player said.
“I think Nicolas Jackson’s worked with the manager before, and he’s not the sort of character to be playing third-choice striker, you can tell he’s got a bit about him, the red cards he’s received,
“I’m sure he’s probably told [Maresca], ‘how dare you leave me out, how dare you bring in two other strikers in front of me.’
“So I can see why the manager wants him out, and I can imagine he could be a problem around the dressing room if he’s not the star man.”
The Villa legend also admitted that Jackson would also be unlikely to be the star man under Emery initially; this is a given when considering Watkins’ form over the previous few seasons.
However, with the Villans having Europa League matches to contend with this season, an increase in depth in the forward line will be necessary.
Villa to sign new Harry Kane in Jackson
Jackson has often been criticised since his move to Chelsea, with the 24-year-old’s finishing being hit and miss during his time in the Premier League.
Despite this, his numbers are not as bad as what some may lead you to believe, with the forward netting 14 goals, whilst registering five assists during his first campaign in England’s top flight.
- Jackson’s 14 league goals in the 2023/24 season came from an xG of 18.64, suggesting he was wasteful in front of goal and should’ve scored even more
There is a player in there somewhere, and if Emery could bring in Jackson for relatively cheap, it could be a signing well worth sanctioning.
According to FBRef, one of the players most similar to Jackson is Kane.
During the 2024/25 season, Kane registered a non-penalty xG of 13.3, whilst Jackson was just behind, registering 12.3.
This suggests that Jackson picks up quality positions in and around the box, and if Emery can develop him the same way he has done with Watkins, then Villa could have a serious player on their hands.
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