Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson has opened up on his failed move to Aston Villa prior to arriving at Stamford Bridge.

Jackson completed a £30m move to join Chelsea from the Blues in 2023 but came close to following his former boss Unai Emery from Villarreal to Villa in the Premier League.

“When Unai left, he wanted me to go to Aston Villa, but I was injured,” Jackson told football.london.

“I wanted to leave because the coach came in. I had to go, but I was injured a little bit in my hamstring. We went there, they checked and said I needed one more month and they want me now.

“If they want me in one week, two weeks, I was not ready, so they had to cancel the transfer, and I went back.”

Jackson then opened up on how he felt after the deal fell through, where he added: “When I went back, I was very angry.

“Not angry I didn’t sign because when we were on the plane, I told my friend, ‘Don’t worry, better things will come and that’s life.’

"Then I started working more to play with Villarreal. When I came back, I think I scored 12 goals in two months.”