Unai Emery has backed Nicolas Jackson to become one of the best strikers in the world at Aston Villa

Unai Emery believes Nicolas Jackson can one day be recognised as one of the best strikers in the world, like his former Bayern Munich teammate Harry Kane.

The Senegal international has already scored seven goals for Villa in all competitions since joining from Chelsea in the summer, including braces in two of his last four appearances.

His latest double came against Manchester City last weekend, with his goals proving decisive as Villa secured a memorable victory over the league leaders at Villa Park.

Jackson scored 11 goals last season while on loan at Bayern, but was limited to a supporting role under Vincent Kompany due to Kane’s sensational form, which saw the England captain scoop the Ballon d’Or on Monday night.

Asked if he thinks Jackson can reach the top level of strikers, Emery said: “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 an 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.”

Emery previously worked with Jackson at Villarreal in 2022 and had also been keen to bring him to Villa. After Ollie Watkins made his interest in a move to Al-Hilal clear in the summer, Emery placed Jackson at the top of his list of potential replacements.

“This is a different moment. He played at the high level with us at Villarreal. When we worked together there, he had the process,” Emery said.

“He was progressing and learning so quickly. He was showing his qualities with the expectation at the high level. But now, it’s a new Jackson. The reality is he can be at the high level in football.

“For different reasons, he didn’t keep in Chelsea, then he went on loan to Bayern and played with Kane, but he was the Ballon d’Or winner. So again, now it’s a new chapter for him with us – to work hard and get this gap between where Jackson is 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.”