Nicolas Jackson will set a personal goalscoring record this season with Aston Villa following his strong start for the club.
That’s according to Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor, whilst Alex Crook claims he is facing less pressure there than he did at Chelsea.
Jackson joined the Villans in a club-record £65million deal from Chelsea in the summer as Ollie Watkins left for Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.
He has scored five goals in eight appearances since, with two of those coming in their 6-0 Champions League thrashing of Fenerbahce.
The Senegalese forward hit a career-best of 17 goals in all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign, his debut year at Chelsea.
However, Agbonlahor, who is second in Villa’s all-time Premier League scoring charts on 74 goals behind Watkins’ 91, believes Jackson is set to break his personal record this season.
Jackson tipped to break scoring record
Sam Matterface asked him if Watkins did Villa a favour by leaving, but he replied: “I wouldn’t say he did them a favour because it would have been nice to have both of them, pushing each other as far as they can. Ollie Watkins was a great servant for the football club.
“Nicolas Jackson is younger, worked under the manager before, he’s come to Aston Villa and looks like he’s polished his game a lot. His first touch looks a lot better, his movement.
“What he does that Ollie Watkins never did, he takes on players. He receives the ball, likes to get past the player and run with the ball, and some of his goals have been outstanding.
“His goal against Spurs, that touch, that turn, quick finish into the corner. Two goals against Fenerbahce from just outside the box, just inside the box.
“Three in the Champions League, two in the Premier League. I think he’s going to be on 20 goals in all competitions at the end of the season. You need a quick striker in the Premier League, I feel.”
Agbonlahor’s talkSPORT colleague Crook then noted that Jackson has an advantage at Villa as he worked with manager Unai Emery during a spell at Villarreal.
He also hinted that the 25-year-old is thriving now that he is playing for a club with less pressure for consistent success on his shoulders.
At Chelsea, his 30 goals were short of past heroes including Didier Drogba and Diego Costa, who scored 164 and 59 respectively.
And during his loan stint with Bayern Munich last season, he bagged 11 whilst Harry Kane netted 61.
Crook explained: “I just think that move to Chelsea probably came too early in his career. If you remember, he was close to joining Bournemouth at that stage; there was a medical issue.
“Then in the following summer, he ended up at Chelsea instead, so it was a big leap that he made.
“The big bonus for him at Aston Villa is he’s playing under a manager who knows him, having worked with him in Spain.
“And there is less pressure when it comes to playing for Aston Villa than there is at a club like Chelsea.
“Even Bayern Munich, where he didn’t pull up too many trees on loan last season.”
