Aston Villa have completed the signing of Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea in a deal worth up to �65 million, with Unai Emery confirming the Senegal international will lead Villas attack as the club prepares for life without Ollie Watkins. Jackson, 25, has signed at Villa Park after Chelsea agreed an initial fee of �47.5 million, with add-ons potentially taking the total to �65 million. He becomes the third major piece of business between Villa and Chelsea this summer, following Morgan Rogers club-record �117 million departure to Stamford Bridge in June and Alejandro Garnachos subsequent loan move in the other direction.The arrival of Jackson directly paves the way for Watkins to complete his move to Al Hilal, with Fabrizio Romano confirming the Saudi Pro League side have agreed a deal worth 58.4 million plus add-ons for the England international.Jackson brings with him a profile Emery knows well. The pair worked together at Villarreal, where Jackson made his senior breakthrough before a �32 million move to Chelsea in 2023. He went on to score 30 goals in 81 appearances for the Blues before spending last season on loan at Bayern Munich, where he registered 11 goals in 34 appearances, including three in the Champions League, and contributed to the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal double. Jackson could be available for Mondays trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal, though Emery will assess his fitness having been largely absent from first-team training at Chelsea in recent weeks. Leon Goretzka, who completed his free transfer from Bayern Munich on Thursday, is also in contention to make his Villa debut in what is already shaping up as a defining early-season fixture for a club that were beaten 4-0 by Brighton on opening day. Topics Aston Villa F.C. Chelsea F.C. Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Chelsea v Brighton: Preview, expected line-ups and stats Nicholas McGee 28th August, 2026 Villa agree �47m deal for PSG winger Mbaye Nicholas McGee 28th August, 2026 It is very important they feel desire to play Alonso speaks on Enzo Fernandez absence from Chelsea cup tie Nicholas McGee 28th August, 2026 Alonso made decision to leave Fernandez out of Chelsea win Tom Rostance 27th August, 2026 Chelsea 2-0 Luton: Welbeck scores on debut Tom Rostance 27th August, 2026 LIVE Chelsea v Luton: Commentary, updates, goals and stats Jon Fisher 26th August, 2026
