Nicolas Jackson nears £65m Aston Villa move as Emery clears air with departing Watkins

• Chelsea’s Jackson could face Arsenal on Monday

• Saudi-bound Watkins says sorry for refusing to play

Unai Emery is hopeful Nicolas Jackson will complete his club-record £65m move from Chelsea in time to make his Aston Villa debut against Arsenal on Monday and said his striker’s imminent arrival will mark a “new chapter” at the club.

Jackson was Emery’s No 1 target to replace Ollie Watkins, who declined the offer of a new contract in favour of a £50m move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal. Both deals are yet to be formally confirmed. Emery said Watkins’s departure reduced him to tears and revealed the England striker apologised to him and his teammates for refusing to play in the 4-0 defeat at Brighton last weekend, leaving Villa without a recognise striker.