'He could exploit' - Aston Villa boss Unai Emery issues verdict on Chelsea star he knows well

Unai Emery has been speaking about a Chelsea player he knows all too well. Emery’s Villa are preparing to take on Chelsea on Sunday in what should be a fascinating clash between two likely Champions League candidates.

Chelsea have started the better of the two teams so far this season, going into this weekend in control of third spot after a superb start under Enzo Maresca. Villa secured a top four spot last season, and while their start to the season hasn’t been ideal, they have started well in the Champions League, and they are just three points behind Chelsea in the league.

Villa can tighten things up with a win, but they face an in-form Chelsea side who have an electric Nicolas Jackson leading the line. Jackson has scored seven and assisted three in 13 appearances across all competitions. On Sunday, Jackson will go up against former Villarreal boss Emery, who played a key role in his development.

Jackson didn’t always get the full trust of Emery at the Yellows, but he was given opportunities, and the striker went on to hit a superb run of form in the months after Emery left for Villa, leading to his Chelsea move. Ahead of going up against Jackson, Emery has been speaking about the 23-year-old’s meteoric rise.

“He was starting the pre-season with the U21s and when he was progressively coming to train with us, he was showing his potential,” Emery told Sky Sports. “We worked during the one year on his skill, he improved his understanding better, how he could exploit his potential. And playing minutes and getting experiences was the next step.

“But his attitude as well was fantastic. He was always learning. He was always demanding to train more, to be focused. He was also being a professional every day out of training sessions at home because he was focused on football like the first priority in his life. And the consequences is coming. It’s coming because he signed for Chelsea. Last year he was adapting so quick, but he was progressively getting better, sometimes without the performance and now he is showing.”