According to a post on its official Facebook account on Saturday October 24, 2026 ESPN UK has shared images of Nicolas Jackson celebrating after scoring against Manchester City, with the post drawing attention to the striker’s history with City manager Enzo Maresca.

The Facebook post, published on Saturday, October 24, 2026, was captioned: “Nicolas Jackson’s celebration after scoring against his former manager… 👀👎”

Jackson gave Aston Villa an early lead, scoring in the sixth minute of their Premier League match against Manchester City. The supplied match update showed Villa 1-0 ahead at half-time.

The goal carried added interest because of Jackson’s past under Maresca. Jackson was reportedly left out of Chelsea’s plans at the start of the 2025/26 season while Maresca was in charge.

After a loan spell at Bayern Munich, the striker moved to Aston Villa, where he plays under manager Unai Emery.

Jackson’s early strike against Maresca’s Manchester City side quickly became a talking point.

The supplied account described his celebration as a cold gesture directed towards his former manager, though ESPN UK’s caption itself did not explain the gesture or specify its intended target.

The post’s wording nevertheless invited fans to read a personal edge into the moment.

The match brought together a Villa side looking to make the most of home advantage and a Manchester City team led by Maresca. Jackson’s goal put Villa in front just six minutes after kick-off, turning the attention onto the striker and his recent career path.

Jackson’s departure from Chelsea followed a period of uncertainty over his role. His loan move to Bayern Munich gave him a change of setting before he secured a permanent switch to Villa Park.

The move reunited him with the Premier League, but placed him on the opposite side of the touchline from Maresca.

The social media post prompted interest in the connection between the player and manager, as well as in Jackson’s performance on the pitch.