Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson of Aston Villa leads the African scorers chart in the Champions League with 3 goals in 2 matches. Ahead of Serhou Guirassy and Assane Diao, on 2 goals each, he takes an early lead before the visit of Viking FK to Villa Park.
Nicolas Jackson made a strong start on the first matchday of the league phase. With a brace on 14 October in Aston Villa’s 6-0 win against Fenerbahçe, the Senegalese striker had already scored in the 3-2 success against Club Brugge. With 3 goals in 2 matches, he moves to the top of the African scorers chart for the 2026-2027 Champions League, according to Foot Africa.
Behind him, Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund) and Assane Diao (Como 1907) have 2 goals each. In total, 7 African players have found the net during the first two matchdays of the league phase, including Anis Hadj Moussa (Feyenoord), Ademola Lookman (Atlético Madrid) and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis).
A brace against Fenerbahçe
In Aston Villa’s 6-0 win over Fenerbahçe, Jackson scored two of his team’s six goals. Speaking to TNT Sports, the Senegalese said: “I’m very happy. It was an excellent win today. We’re very happy to win and especially to have kept a clean sheet.”
He also discussed the penalty he would have liked to take: “I really wanted to take the penalty, but the team obviously has its rules. The most important thing is that we won, and I hope I can score a hat-trick next time.”
A transfer valued at €75m
Having arrived from Chelsea on 28 August 2026 for a transfer valued at around 75 million euros including bonuses, Nicolas Jackson is under contract with Aston Villa until June 2031, with the option of a further year. He has a record of 5 goals in 8 appearances in all competitions for the club this season.
Last season, on loan at Bayern Munich, he scored 3 goals in 10 Champions League matches. Aston Villa, with 6 points from 6, sit third in the overall Champions League standings.
Sadio Mané’s record in his sights
With his 3 goals, Jackson is chasing Sadio Mané’s national record, as the latter scored 10 Champions League goals in the 2017-2018 campaign with Liverpool.
Aston Villa host Norwegian side Viking FK at Villa Park on Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 21:00 for matchday 3. Unai Emery’s side, the Aston Villa manager, will then travel to FC Barcelona on Tuesday 3 November 2026 for matchday 4.