Aston Villa secured a strong first-half performance in their Europa Conference League match in Bruges, with new signing Nicolas Jackson netting his inaugural goal for the club. The 22-year-old forward, Villa’s record signing, found the back of the net as the team scored three times before halftime, reflecting an improved attacking display under manager Unai Emery.

The match marked Villa’s third consecutive Premier League game without a goal, but Emery’s side found their rhythm early in Belgium. John McGinn opened the scoring, followed by Emi Buendia’s strike, which reestablished Villa’s lead before Jackson added his first goal to the tally.

Emery credited the team’s tactical adjustments for breaking through on the offensive front. He noted that Villa struggled to produce runs behind the defense in their recent 3-0 league loss to Hull City but emphasized that in this match they executed those movements more effectively. “Jackson is a striker who likes to drop and he needs someone running,” Emery said, highlighting the coordination required for Jackson’s style of play. He added that the team had focused on encouraging Jackson to be the final runner breaking through defensive lines during training sessions.

The Villa manager also emphasized the role of senior players in maintaining high standards and guiding the squad. “The players and I have a responsibility,” Emery said. “The older players need to guide to keep our standard high, to show everybody that this is the only way to achieve our targets.”

This positive showing in Europe provides Villa with momentum as they seek to find consistent goal-scoring form in domestic competition.