Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is keen on bringing in Nicolas Jackson from his former club Villarreal, according to a fresh transfer report.

The Lowdown: Jackson shines for Villarreal

The 50-year-old has left the Yellow Submarine to take charge at Villa Park, with the Spaniard tasked with picking up the pieces left by his predecessor Steven Gerrard.

While there is a decent squad in the Midlands, it still seems likely that the new boss will want to bring in fresh faces who could suit his style of play.

It looks as though he plans to go straight back to his former club in that respect, following a recent report.

The Latest: Emery wants Jackson at Villa

According to Mundo Deportivo [via Sport Witness], Emery has 'instructed his new club to move quickly and try to sign' Jackson.

The 21-year-old's current Villarreal deal expires at the end of this season, so they could be keen to earn some kind of fee for him in the January transfer window. He is thought to have a £27m release clause.

The Verdict: Exciting option

The fact that Emery knows Jackson inside-out as a player can only bode well, in terms of being an expert on his qualities, and the 21-year-old's numbers certainly speak for themselves.

The Senegalese winger has two goals and two assists to his name in La Liga this season and he could be a fresh new option in a central attacking role, with Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings not setting the world alight so far in 2022/23.

At 21, Jackson is still very much a work in progress, so he should be viewed as an exciting prospective long-term addition who could mature into a formidable prospect under his former manager if Emery brings him to Villa Park.