Nicolas Jackson has continued his encouraging Aston Villa form by scoring for Senegal in their 1-1 draw against Mozambique on Friday.
The 25-year-old opened the scoring in the 32nd minute as Patrick Vieira began his competitive reign as Senegal manager in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.
According to CAF’s official match report, Jackson put the visitors ahead before Mozambique responded through Geny Catamo in first-half stoppage time.
The result may have frustrated Senegal, but Jackson’s goal represents another positive development for Aston Villa after he also found the net in last weekend’s 3-2 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Nicolas Jackson scores for Senegal against Mozambique
Senegal dominated large periods of the opening half and were rewarded after 32 minutes.
Jackson collected the ball inside the penalty area before converting to give Vieira’s side the lead.
Daily Sports reported that Abdallah Sima provided the assist as Jackson registered his latest international goal.
Mozambique refused to go away.
Catamo equalised in first-half stoppage time and neither side was able to find a winner after the interval.
The draw leaves Senegal with one point from their opening Group J qualifier.
For Aston Villa, however, the individual significance is clear.
Jackson has now scored in consecutive competitive appearances for club and country.
Jackson building momentum after Aston Villa breakthroughn headed into the international break after producing one of his most encouraging Villa performances so far.
Unai Emery selected the striker from the start against Tottenham despite Tammy Abraham scoring twice in the Carabao Cup victory over Coventry City only days earlier.
Jackson rewarded that decision.
He doubled Villa’s advantage in north London after combining with Johan Manzambi before finishing beyond Antonín Kinský.
Our Tottenham 2-3 Aston Villa match report details how Jackson and Manzambi helped transform the contest after Spurs had dominated much of the opening period.
Emery was impressed enough to highlight the striker’s progress afterwards.
Our report on Unai Emery’s reaction to Jackson’s Aston Villa breakthrough showed how the Villa manager viewed the Tottenham performance as a significant step forward.
That momentum has now carried into international football.
Tottenham and Senegal goals strengthen Jackson’s claim
The timing could be important for Jackson.
Villa currently have genuine competition at centre-forward.
Abraham reminded Emery of his qualities with two goals against Coventry, while Jackson responded by scoring against Tottenham.
We examined that battle in our Nicolas Jackson vs Tammy Abraham Aston Villa striker analysis.
Jackson has now strengthened his position further.
Scoring for Senegal does not automatically determine Emery’s selection when Villa return to Premier League action, but it maintains the striker’s confidence during a lengthy club break.
His recent performances also suggest the early stages of his adaptation to Villa are beginning to settle.
Jackson’s Aston Villa player profile tracks his appearances and goals following his summer move from Chelsea.
