Aston Villa have completed two 'strange' signings no-one understands - Insider
Aston Villa made strange decisions in the summer transfer window exemplified by the exit of Ollie Watkins and signing of Nicolas Jackson among them.
That is the opinion of former senior Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 30-year-old joined Al Hilal in a £51million move this summer, and has already netted his first goal in the Saudi Pro League.
Unai Emery would have liked to have kept Watkins, but he wanted to leave and refused to feature against Brighton in Villa's opening game.
Chelsea's Jackson was targeted as his replacement and a £65m fee was agreed for the 25-year-old, who scored 11 goals on loan at Bayern Munich last season.
The Senegal international netted his first goal for Emery's team on Tuesday as Villa opened their Champions League campaign with a 3-2 win over Club Brugge.
Aston Villa have 'picked up the pieces' for Chelsea
Jackson is just one of a number of deals done between Villa and Chelsea this summer.
The Blues shocked everyone when they paid £117m for Morgan Rogers after he had looked set to join Arsenal, and the Villans subsequently took Alejandro Garnacho in return.
Jackson would later follow him, before Chelsea came back in and signed Emi Martinez for around £7.5m.
"You were waiting for that side to click in, weren't you? Whereas I'm not sure at the moment this one will," King told Football Insider when asked about Villa's start to the season compared to last year.
"But again, it's early. They've also got one point out of nine, same as Tottenham, and look as though they've got a problem scoring goals.
"Watkins has opened his account in Saudi Arabia, as he will do. As he will do, he'll score goals. He'd score in the Premier League and to get rid of somebody like that, and to bring somebody in who's big money.
"They've brought two in from Chelsea now. Garnacho, and the boy Jackson. You know, why would Chelsea let them go? Villa have picked up the pieces.
"And they've got to get them firing again. There's been some strange things going on at Villa. That's for sure."
What Unai Emery has said about Nicolas Jackson
Jackson's talent has never been in doubt, but there have issues with his attitude.
But Emery knows the striker well from their time at Villarreal together, and there is a sense that he could be a real danger man under the Spaniard's watch.
His first goal on Tuesday saw him capitalise on the goalkeeper's mistake, showing great pace and composure to slot into the empty net.
"Nicolas Jackson – very important [goal] for him," Emery said after the game. "We lacked runs in behind against Hull, but today we did it more.
"Jackson is a striker who likes to drop and he needs someone running. We were pushing in the last training session for him to be the last man running in behind.”