Aston Villa have completed the signing of Nicolas Jackson in a deal worth up to £65m, with Ollie Watkins 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 new additions like Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes, Zion Suzuki and Matteo Ruggeri. Squad disruption was evident in a 4-0 defeat at Brighton, where Villa started without a recognised centre-forward due to Watkins' unavailability and injuries to Tammy Abraham and Brian Madjo.

Jackson, arriving from Chelsea, becomes Villa's record signing. His stats at Bayern Munich last season show 11 goals and three assists in 1,320 minutes (1.0 goal involvements per 90), while Watkins recorded 21 goals and five assists in 3,837 minutes (0.6 per 90). Jackson also averaged more shots (3.8 vs 2.6), shots on target (2.2 vs 1.2), and higher expected goals (0.7 vs 0.5) per 90, plus more touches in the opposition box (8.5 vs 5.6).

However, Jackson's finishing has been scrutinised. In two Premier League seasons at Chelsea, he scored 14 goals from 18.7 xG in 2023-24 and 10 from 12.3 xG the following campaign, converting 18 of 61 big chances. Watkins converted 24 of 73 since joining Villa. Last season, their conversion rates were similar: Jackson 19.6% of shots and 40.9% of big chances, Watkins 18.9% and 43.2%.

A key caveat: Watkins started 43 matches and played almost three times as many minutes, while Jackson started only 15 of 34 appearances. Jackson excelled in pressing, averaging 34 high pressures per 90 (vs 31.4) and winning the ball 2.7 times per 90 (vs 1.8), with a 88th percentile for possession won in the attacking third. Watkins was stronger aerially (1.2 duels won per 90 vs 0.7) and made more runs into the penalty area. Jackson may not replicate every aspect of Watkins' game, but his profile offers a different dynamic.