Everyone at Aston Villa was on board with the signing of Nicolas Jackson.Unai Emery’s view, invariably, takes precedence. But Jackson, as with Johan Manzambi and Ibrahim Mbaye, had the support of Villa’s recruitment and scouting department.He is Emery’s ideal, archetypal striker. It was why, from early in the summer and even last year, Villa wanted Jackson as their leading forward option.The pair had maintained an excellent relationship since working together at Villarreal and remained in dialogue. Jackson credits Emery for pushing his development in La Liga, fondly recalling how his manager opted for him as the starting centre forward ahead of signing big names such as Edinson Cavani.Each knew what to expect from the other. Jackson was always first choice while other candidates this summer included Folarin Balogun, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Christian Kofane and Club Brugge’s Nicolo Tresoldi, who scored from the spot on Tuesday evening.Those close to Jackson, speaking on the condition of anonymity, say the relationship with Emery was crucial to the player Jackson has since become, remarking on how raw, in hindsight, he was when they first worked together.The 25-year-old has all the natural materials an Emery striker requires. An ability to repeat sprints, an ease in gliding movement into the channels and, as demonstrated with Cole Palmer at Chelsea, establishing connections with Villa’s No 10s behind him.Importantly, there was a feeling, according to multiple sources, that Jackson had scope to be finessed. This was hugely appealing to Villa. For example, Jackson makes frequent runs behind opposite defences, but his first touch can be scruffy when the ball is played into his feet, rather than in his stride. This was evidenced in the first half against Club Brugge, when Emiliano Buendia’s pass for a breaking Jackson was underhit. The Senegal international failed to take the ball cleanly. Yet when Pau Torres lofted another pass shortly after and in front of him, there was no such issue. Assisted by Yann Sommer, 37, haplessly charging out of goal, Jackson rolled into an empty net for his first Villa goal.“He likes to drop (deep), and sometimes he needs someone else running with him,” Emery explained after the 3-2 victory in Bruges. “We were pushing him in the last training session, saying ‘You must try to be the last player running in behind’ because when we are going to add Manzambi as well as getting better (Alejandro) Garnacho and Mbaye, they can run (behind) as well.”Jackson’s qualities should dovetail with the mechanics of Emery’s structure.No Premier League side has attacked through the middle more since Emery’s arrival — putting two or three No 10s between opponents’ midfield and central defenders. The No 10s either carry the ball or, if there is pressure, find clever slide passes into the No 9, who is trained to station himself between the centre-back and full-back.(Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)In Club Brugge, Villa had the ideal foils to cut through centrally. Torres made regular forays upfield — the first leading to John McGinn’s opener — along with Joao Gomes.