Unai Emery has ‘instructed’ Aston Villa to ‘move quickly to sign’ versatile player

A week ago, Aston Villa confirmed they had appointed Unai Emery as their new manager and that he would take over at Villa Park from November 1st.

The Villans took the Spaniard from Villarreal, just days after sacking Steven Gerrard.

It seems the new Aston Villa manager wants to raid his former club to strengthen the English club’s squad.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who state the Premier League side want Villarreal’s Nicolas Jackson. The forward was promoted to the Yellow Submarine’s first team in 2021, when Emery was in charge.

Operating across all three positions in attack, the 21-year-old managed seven goals and nine assists last term. He has been mainly used as a striker this campaign, scoring three goals and registering two assists.

His deal expires in 2026, and his performances have seen Barcelona move quickly and contact his entourage.

Jackson is viewed as an option for the Blaugrana, in the event Ousmane Dembélé decides not to commit his future beyond 2024. The Villarreal player, for his part, is tempted by that scenario.

Apart from Barcelona, Aston Villa also ‘want’ the versatile attacker. It’s claimed Emery has ‘instructed his new club to move quickly and try to sign’ Jackson.