Aston Villa Eye Nicolas Jackson as Ollie Watkins Faces Pressure

Aston Villa are preparing a move for Nicolas Jackson if the Saudi money finally pries Ollie Watkins out of Unai Emery’s hands.

Chelsea value Jackson at around £65m and are ready to sell. Villa’s interest is no coincidence. Al Hilal are pushing hard for Watkins, talks are active, and at least one bid has already been turned away. Their opening offer came in at about £38.5m – nowhere near enough for a striker who just fired Villa to a Europa League title and another season of Champions League football.

Villa’s stance is clear: they do not want to sell. Al Hilal’s stance is just as clear: Watkins is their man.

The 30-year-old England international hit 16 league goals last season and has become the face of Emery’s project. He has also been earmarked by Al Hilal as a potential replacement for Karim Benzema, with the Saudi club working in the background on the Frenchman’s contract situation to free up space for a new No 9. Watkins’ inclusion in England’s 2026 World Cup squad only underlines his current standing.

Emery: ‘We have an issue with him’

Emery did not dodge the subject before Villa’s game against Brighton.

"We have an issue with him, it is clear," he admitted in his pre-match press conference. "We had offers for him but he is our player. I don't want to sell him but it can change if it is a good option for him, the club and I can replace him in the squad.

"He is here and is a fantastic striker. We have always believed and supported him, he did it.

"There is 10 days to finish the transfer window, we will see. He is our player and I am happy with him."

Pressed on whether Watkins has actually asked to go, Emery pushed back. "I don't know, maybe you have more information than us! Football is changing. The players are professional and Watkins is our player."

Behind those words sits the reality of the market. If Al Hilal come back with a figure Villa simply cannot refuse – and Watkins decides Saudi Arabia is his next step – Villa need a ready-made solution. Jackson is that solution.

Jackson on the radar – and a familiar face for Emery

Chelsea want a permanent sale for Jackson after his loan spell at Bayern Munich last season. Atletico Madrid have registered their interest too, but would prefer a loan. That does not fit Chelsea’s plan.

Villa, on the other hand, are looking at a permanent deal. The relationship between the two Premier League clubs is strong at boardroom level. They have already traded this summer, with the record-breaking move for Morgan Rogers and Alejandro Garnacho’s switch to claret and blue underlining how quickly deals can be done between them.

There is also a footballing bond. Jackson knows Emery well from their time together at Villarreal. Emery knows exactly what he would be buying: a forward who can stretch defences, press aggressively and plug straight into his system if Watkins leaves.

The pressure from Saudi Arabia grows. So does the need for a contingency plan.

Martinez pushes for ‘another challenge’ as Suzuki arrives

Watkins is not the only pillar of this Villa side with an uncertain future.

Emiliano Martinez has told the club he wants to pursue "another challenge" in his career. A move to Juventus collapsed earlier in the window, but the World Cup-winning Argentina goalkeeper has not hidden his desire to test himself elsewhere.

Villa have already moved. Japan international Zion Suzuki arrived from Parma this summer, and Emery insists the signing is not one for tomorrow.

"We have two excellent keepers," Emery said. "We have signed Suzuki not for the future, but for now. He has shown his capacity and that he can play at our level."

"Martinez transmitted to us the possibility to have another challenge in his career, not just now and even last year, and he was thinking in case he had a possibility to change his challenges, but he stayed and performed fantastic.

"This year, again, he transmitted to us for a new challenge, and we signed Suzuki to replace him. But the scenario we have is that we have two great goalkeepers. We will see what will happen."

So Villa enter the final stretch of the window with their starting striker wanted in Saudi Arabia and their World Cup-winning goalkeeper eyeing the exit. Emery insists he is "happy" with Watkins and content with his goalkeeping options. The next 10 days will show whether that contentment survives the kind of offers that reshape a squad – and a season.