Published Jul 25, 2026, 7:10 AM GMT+1

Emilio is an experienced football journalist who has worked at Football FanCast for over six years.

After graduating with first-class honours from the University of Central Lancashire in 2019, it didn't take long for Emilio to clinch his first job in journalism at Snack Media, now Valnet.

Emilio has written for a host of the company's biggest past and current football news websites - Vital Football, The Transfer Tavern and Football FanCast. 

Emilio's strengths include the intricacies of football transfers, while he particularly enjoys writing about the business side of football. He has covered Tottenham Hotspur on a weekly basis for a number of years now, developing a deep understanding of the culture and what Lilywhites fans engage with.

In his spare time, you can find Emilio travelling the world, or even in a boxing ring.

Villa are now being linked with another player Emery knows well in Nicolas Jackson.

The Senegal international flourished under the Spaniard at Villarreal before earning a big-money move to Chelsea in 2023, and that previous relationship could become an important factor if negotiations gather pace.

He began his career with Casa Sports in Senegal before Villarreal spotted his potential and brought him to Spain as a teenager. After adapting to European football, he enjoyed a breakthrough during the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, scoring regularly in La Liga and establishing himself as one of Spain's most exciting young forwards.

Emery had already worked closely with him before leaving for Villa, helping mould his all-round game and trusting his pace, movement and relentless work ethic.

Chelsea invested heavily to sign Jackson, and during his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge he scored 30 goals across all competitions while helping the club win the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup.

Last season he spent the campaign on loan at Bayern Munich, gaining valuable Champions League experience and adding another major club to his growing CV before returning to Chelsea this summer.

Jackson would certainly give Villa something different.

Although his finishing has occasionally divided opinion, his willingness to run behind defenders and space could be an asset to Emery, and if there's any manager who can get the best out of a faltering star, it is definitely Villa's boss.

With Garnacho now adding pace and directness from wide areas, Jackson could offer another dynamic option through the middle.

According to Italian journalist Orazio Accomando, Villa and Chelsea remain in 'constant' over the striker's future.

Accomando shares key information that Emery is personally pushing to bring Jackson back under his management, while Chelsea continue to seek a fee of around £60 million before allowing the Senegal international to leave Stamford Bridge.

Interest from Villa has been well documented throughout the week, with the striker viewed as one of the club's priority attacking targets.

Chelsea's asking price is understandable from their perspective.

Jackson is still only 25, has Premier League experience, international pedigree and is under contract until 2033.

Players with that profile rarely come cheaply, but even so, £60 million feels a substantial figure.

Jackson remains an exciting forward with enormous potential, but his Bayern loan was solid rather than spectacular, and he has yet to establish himself as one of Europe's elite strikers.

If Emery believes he can help Jackson rediscover the form he showed at Villarreal, the move could still prove inspired if the gamble pays off.

However, with Chelsea holding firm on their valuation, Villa may need to decide whether their manager's faith in the striker is worth meeting the Blues' lofty asking price.