Nicolas Jackson joins Aston Villa: How striker compares with Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa has signed striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea for £65m as part of a major squad overhaul. The move coincides with the departure of long-time forward Ollie Watkins to the Saudi Pro League.
Why it matters
This transfer represents a significant tactical shift for Aston Villa as they replace a club icon with a different profile of player to adapt to Unai Emery's system.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Nicolas Jackson spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Bayern Munich
Aston Villa have completed the signing of Nicolas Jackson in a deal worth up to £65m, with Ollie Watkins looking set to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
Unai Emery's Villa are undergoing a major overhaul this summer, with key players including Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne having already departed.
Jackson, 25, joins a number of new additions including Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes, Zion Suzuki and Matteo Ruggeri.
That level of squad disruption was evident on the opening weekend, when Emery's side slumped to a 4-0 defeat at Brighton .
With Watkins, 30, unavailable and both Tammy Abraham and 17-year-old Brian Madjo injured, Villa started without a recognised centre-forward - Emiliano Buendia led the line.
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