Unai Emery explains reason behind Aston Villa striker's substitution

Unai Emery has revealed he decided to substitute Nicolas Jackson out of fear the striker would be sent-off in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

The Senegal international striker was taken off at the break with the match goal-less, having picked up a yellow card for shoving over Forest defender Ousmane Diomande.

Emery later claimed referee Andy Madley warned Villa’s staff Jackson was running the risk of a second yellow if he didn’t calm down, with the manager deciding the best option was to remove him from the action.

“He had a yellow card and the referee was telling us, one of our coaches, he needed to keep calm,” explained Emery.

“In case not, he was close to having another yellow.

“I know Nico Jackson and he could have one action with his power, maybe for one tackle and action to recover the ball, dangerous for a yellow card.

“I decided it. It is my decision because the referee as well told us he was at risk of a second yellow card.”

Jackson’s removal hurt Villa as his replacement, Tammy Abraham, struggled to impact the match.

It also meant the home side had used all five available substitutions by the time Ian Maatsen was injured in the closing stages, with the scores level at 1-1.

Forest took advantage of playing with a man advantage by netting a late winner through Igor Jesus, condemning Villa to a third defeat in four Premier League matches.