Nicolas Jackson’s impressive start to life at Aston Villa has taken another significant turn after a productive October strengthened his position among the Premier League’s leading forwards.
The Senegal international has quickly become an influential figure in Unai Emery’s attack, delivering important goals during a month in which Villa remained unbeaten in their Premier League matches.
His most memorable contribution came against Manchester City, when he scored twice to help Villa inflict a first league defeat of the season on Enzo Maresca’s side.
Jackson had also found the net against Brentford and Fulham, giving him four goals in four Premier League appearances during October. His performances earned him a place on the league’s eight-man shortlist for its monthly individual award.
Jackson has been named the EA SPORTS Premier League Player of the Month for October, becoming the first Aston Villa player to win the award since Christian Benteke in April 2015.
The 25-year-old is also the first Senegalese winner since Sadio Mané claimed the prize in November 2019.
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Jackson’s standout performance came on October 24, when Manchester City visited Villa Park.
City arrived with a perfect Premier League record, having won their opening seven matches. But Jackson produced two important finishes to help Villa secure a 2-1 victory and bring that winning run to an end.
He opened the scoring six minutes into the match, firing into the roof of the net before restoring Villa’s advantage after Erling Haaland had equalised. His second goal, a neat first time finish, ultimately proved decisive.
It was the defining moment of an impressive month. Jackson had started October by scoring Villa’s equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Brentford.
He then contributed to a 1-0 away victory over Newcastle United before finishing the month with the opening goal in a 1-1 draw against Fulham.
Six goals across all competitions
Villa’s review of October records six goals for Jackson in as many appearances across all competitions. In addition to his four league strikes, he scored twice in the club’s emphatic 6-0 Champions League victory over Fenerbahçe.
The figures underline his growing importance to Emery’s side, particularly as Villa look to compete domestically and in Europe.
His Premier League award also follows another individual recognition. Jackson was recently named the PFA Select Car Leasing Premier League Fans’ Player of the Month for October after supporters voted for his performances.
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Jackson topped an eight players shortlist that included Bournemouth forward Evanilson, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, Arsenal defender Ezri Konsa, Coventry City’s Jack Rudoni, Tottenham’s Jan Paul van Hecke and Brighton duo Bart Verbruggen and Luka Vušković.
The winner was determined by combining votes from the public with those of a panel of football experts.
The award represents another milestone for Jackson, whose four Premier League goals in October have helped establish him as one of Aston Villa’s most influential attacking players this season. It ends an 11-year wait for the Villans for one of the Premier League’s most recognised individual honours.
