Aston Villa's usual top performers have been out of sorts across their side's opening two Premier League clashes.
Both Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers have fired unconvincing blanks, as Villa drew 0-0 on the opening day versus Newcastle, before then tasting a narrow 1-0 defeat away at AFC Bournemouth to further pile on the early misery for Unai Emery's men. Watkins, who was on fire in pre-season, has been particularly absent in those matches.
Rogers-Joelinton-Aston-Villa-Newcastle
Emery will hope this rust isn't visible for much longer as the games come thick and fast in the challenging division.
But, whatever does occur during his side's next outing in the tough league, he will surely be eyeing up some new attacking additions in the transfer market to improve his team's chances of getting out of this mini rut.
Aston Villa in pole position to sign £60m star
The West Midlands underperformers will have to get deals done at a quick pace, with September's early deadline fast approaching.
In a hectic window that has been dominated by departures - with the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey leaving Villa Park behind recently - it would be a much-needed change of narrative if Villa could tempt some standout last-ditch additions through the door.
A reported deal for Marco Asensio might well be a last-gasp incoming that gets fans back on side, having previously impressed on loan at Emery's side last season, while there is also notable interest on Villa's end about obtaining Chelsea flop Christopher Nkunku to enhance their attacking options.
Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku celebrates scoring their first goal
Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku celebrates scoring their first goal
He, of course, isn't the only Stamford Bridge asset being eyed up by Emery and Co, with a recent report from Football Insider suggesting that Villa are now in pole position to snap up Blues reserve forward Nicolas Jackson.
Jackson previously featured under Emery at Villarreal, and so the ex-Arsenal boss will hope he can get his former attacker firing at Villa Park, knowing full well that this close-knit link with the hit-and-miss 24-year-old could seal a late £60m deal.
Nicolas Jackson 2024-25 stats (timeless)
How Jackson can become Emery's next Aubameyang
With 24 Premier League goals under his belt in West London, it's clear that there is a lethal goalscoring gem waiting to be uncovered, and with Emery's sublime track record, which saw him get the very best out of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the Gunners, a match made in heaven might soon come to fruition.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Just before Arteta took on the Emirates reins, Emery was tasked with trying to bring success to Arsenal right after Arsene Wenger's esteemed two-decade stretch.
While his time in North London was fraught with bumps, with a costly 20 losses suffered across 78 contests, it goes without saying that he created a clinical machine out of Aubameyang when situated in the Gunners' dugout.
The now Marseille veteran would collect a blistering 41 goals and eight assists under the Spaniard's wing, with 22 of those coming in league action during the 2018/19 season, which saw him share the golden boot accolade with esteemed company in Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
Emery would even go as far as to label Aubameyang a "killer" in front of goal off the back of these Arsenal heroics, and while it is somewhat unrealistic to expect Jackson to hit golden boot level numbers donning Villa claret and blue, the 53-year-old's caring arm around the Senegalese forward could be just what is needed to allow him to move on from his up-and-down Chelsea ordeal.
Nicolas Jackson under Unai Emery (Villarreal - timeless)
After all, he displayed signs of raw promise under Emery's tutelage in Spain, with six goal contributions coming his way from 27 clashes for the Yellow Submarine.
Moreover, the well-travelled manager has even gone on to hail Jackson's attitude as "exceptional" when trying to cut his teeth at the La Liga side.
He could finally be able to get the very best out of him at Villa Park, away from just being an early believer in his potential, with Emery again working his exceptional magic on forward players in the West Midlands, as seen in Watkins powering home a mighty 58 goals during his Villa reign to date.
Jackson's PL numbers for Chelsea
Stat
Games played
Goals scored
Assists
Big chances missed
Stats by Sofascore
Of course, the main worry will be that even in an environment more suited to him, Jackson will still regularly fluff his lines, having missed a staggering 43 big chances for the Blues over two Premier League seasons.
But, there does seem to be something in the water when it comes to Emery developing red-hot strikers, having also made Jhon Duran into a temporary animal in the West Midlands.
nicolas-jackson-chelsea-spurs-premier-league
Therefore, landing the "unbelievable" star - as he has been previously dubbed by Peter Crouch - could be a stroke of genius, particularly if he goes on to be as potent as Aubameyang was during his Arsenal heyday.