Nicolas Jackson can join world's elite - Aston Villa boss Unai Emery

Villa marksman Nicolas Jackson has been backed to join the world’s elite strikers by his boss Unai Emery.

The 25-year-old has hit his stride in claret and blue with six goals in his last six games following a £65million move from Chelsea in the summer.

Jackson spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, where he played second fiddle to Harry Kane - the England captain this week crowned the world’s top player by winning the Balon D’Or.

The Senegal frontman was a substitute more often than not in Munich, with a total of 11 goal in 34 appearances. But in his role as Villa’s main man Emery sees a sky-high ceiling for his striker.

“For different reasons, he didn’t stay at Chelsea, then he went on loan to Bayern and played with Kane, but he was the Balon D’Or winner,” said Emery, whose side welcome Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday night (8pm).

“So now it’s a new chapter for him with us - to work hard and get this gap between now and how we can expect him to be.

“This is the ambitious individual objective that he should have.

“I am working with him, being demanding. Hopefully we’ll see it during the season.

“As well as trying to help him feel comfortable and confident, to exploit his qualities better and better with us.

“He has to make the effort as well, but at the moment he is in the right way.”

Jackson moved to Chelsea aged 22 in 2023 and netted 30 times in all in a mixed two seasons in London.

Asked if Jackson can bridge the gap to the very best at Villa Park, the boss added: “I believe. I believe through the work, through the mentality, through everyday working, through being very consistent in his ambitious demands and how he can achieve those ambitious demands working every day.

“I think he is intelligent guy. He is a player who is focused on football as every player should be, and he is in this way. So we’ll see but I’m optimistic and I believe he can do it.”