Emery hails Jackson after scoring brace in win over Man City – and gives update on Garnacho

Unai Emery praised Nicolas Jackson’s growing maturity after the striker scored twice in Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over Manchester City.

Jackson joined Villa in a £65m deal this summer having previously worked with Emery at Villarreal.

And the Villa boss praised the growth he has seen from the Senegal international.

“Mature, experience, confidence, and he is very demanding himself,” Emery said.

“Very demanding himself to improve things.

“Today, he scored two goals, but the last matches he’s scoring goals.

“But at the beginning of the season, to adapt to us was more difficult, and he was shooting a lot of balls over the crossbar.

“Now, he’s getting his shots better, as well he’s working fantastic tactically, fantastic.

“Sometimes he can drop, because he’s good at getting duels, but we need him more running in behind.

“He has his quality and his power.

“His speed is fantastic, and as well his capacity to get duels man-to-man, or to attack players to pass for another.

“So today, he scored two goals, but the most important how he did his work, his task.”

Emery also addressed Alejandro Garnacho’s absence from the squad.

“He’s progressing,” Emery said.

“He played fantastic 20 minutes on Wednesday in Champions League, but today as well we have players as well now ready, available.

“And I am happy how he is progressing, and of course will have as well minutes, time to continue in the progression in how he showed with us on Wednesday.”