Aston Villa’s agreement to sign Nicolas Jackson gives Unai Emery the centre-forward around whom he can build his new-look side. The £65million Chelsea deal comes after a summer of enormous change at Villa Park, with several established stars departing and six major additions already made.
Jackson is set to replace Ollie Watkins after Villa agreed to sell the England striker to Al-Hilal.
The Senegal international already knows Emery from their time together at Villarreal and could immediately become one of the most important players in Villa’s rebuilt attack.
Nicolas Jackson gives Emery a new focal point
Villa have agreed a deal worth up to £65m with Chelsea for Jackson.
The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich before returning to Stamford Bridge this summer, but his future has now been resolved.
His arrival comes alongside sweeping changes elsewhere.
Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne have all departed, while Villa have added Zion Suzuki, Matteo Ruggeri, João Gomes, Johan Manzambi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Alejandro Garnacho.
That means Emery could soon field a side looking markedly different from the one which won the Europa League in May.
Aston Villa potential XI
GK: Zion Suzuki
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka
CB: Victor Lindelöf
CB: Pau Torres
LB: Matteo Ruggeri
CM: Boubacar Kamara
CM: Johan Manzambi
RW: John McGinn
AM: Emiliano Buendía
LW: Alejandro Garnacho
ST: Nicolas Jackson
Jackson is the obvious change at the top of the pitch.
We have already looked at how Emery could unlock Jackson’s most dangerous role, with his pace and willingness to attack space offering Villa a different threat.
Garnacho provides similar speed from the left, while Buendía can operate behind the striker.
Villa still have decisions to make
The XI is far from settled.
João Gomes should become a major midfield option once available again following his red card in the 4-0 defeat at Brighton.
Manzambi also represents a significant investment and gives Emery another young midfielder capable of developing into a long-term starter.
There is competition at left-back between Ruggeri and Ian Maatsen, while Matty Cash remains another option on the right despite Wan-Bissaka’s arrival.
The biggest unresolved position remains centre-back.
Villa lost Konsa to Arsenal and subsequently saw their pursuit of Joel Ordóñez fall apart after Crystal Palace moved ahead for the Club Brugge defender.
That prompted Villa to explore alternatives, with Jean-Clair Todibo now prominent on the shortlist.
A new centre-back could therefore change the defensive picture again before the window closes.
Jackson becomes face of Villa rebuild
Jackson is different.
Villa have committed major money to securing Watkins’ successor and there should be little doubt about the role he is expected to play.
At 25, Jackson also fits the younger profile Villa have targeted throughout their rebuild.
Watkins departs after becoming one of the defining players of Emery’s first Villa side.
Jackson now has the opportunity to become the striker at the centre of the next one.
If Villa can finish their defensive business before the deadline, the team that emerges from this extraordinary summer could have a completely new spine.
