He won’t perform against us – Unai Emery on Nicolas Jackson

Nicolas Jackson and players
Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Nicolas Jackson has been in top form this season, and has shown tremendous improvement since last season.

It was Aston Villa boss Unai Emery who gave Jackson his first-team debut at Villarreal in 2021.

However, Emery doesn’t want to see the best of Nicolas Jackson against his Villa side.

Emery said: “I’m very happy for him – but of course hopefully on Sunday he is not performing in his best way!”

Back in September, Jackson thanked Unai Emery for the technical and tactical development he gave him during their full season together in Spain, which aided his development.

Reacting to how Jackson has developed his game, Unai Emery said: “He was starting the pre-season with the U21s and when he was progressively coming to train with us, he was showing his potential.

“We worked during the one year on his skill, he improved his understanding better, how he could exploit his potential. And playing minutes and getting experiences was the next step.

“But his attitude as well was fantastic. He was always learning. He was always demanding to train more, to be focused. He was also being a professional every day out of training sessions at home because he was focused on football like the first priority in his life.

“And the consequences is coming. It’s coming because he signed for Chelsea. Last year he was adapting so quick, but he was progressively getting better – sometimes without the performance – and now he is showing.”