Aston Villa Eye Prolific South American Striker: Should Emery Trust Jackson And Madjo?

Aston Villa Eye Prolific South American Striker: Should Emery Trust Jackson And Madjo? Kevin Viveros has emerged as a January name after summer reports linked Unai Emery’s side with the Athletico Paranaense striker. The 26-year-old Colombian has attracted attention in Brazil, scoring 18 goals in 26 Série A appearances in 2026. His form earned a first senior Colombia call-up, and Viveros made his debut from the bench during the 1-1 draw with Mexico on September 27. Villa reportedly asked for information about the forward before choosing Nicolas Jackson, while Sunderland have held similar interest. No fresh offer from either English club has been reported, so the story currently centres on enquiries rather than a formal negotiation. Viveros has another reason to attract attention now. He recently joined CAA Stellar, with Brazilian outlet UmDois Esportes reporting that Marco Vanzini will handle his representation. Talks over improved terms at Athletico have stalled, although reports differ over the club’s preferred sale figure. Recent Brazilian reporting has placed Athletico’s expectations between €30 million and €40 million, while other reports have suggested around €20 million. That gap matters here. Villa must decide whether Viveros’ output justifies another major January investment. Aston Villa could revisit Kevin Viveros after Jackson’s arrival Jackson arrived from Chelsea for an initial £47.5 million, with the overall package capable of reaching £65 million. He knows Emery from Villarreal, where he scored 12 La Liga goals in 2022-23. He has a strong starting point. Jackson knows the manager’s ideas, has Premier League experience and has already produced a goal for Villa in the Champions League this month. Expecting him to carry the attack makes sense after Watkins left for Al-Hilal in a £50 million deal. Yet football seasons rarely follow the cleanest plan. Injuries, fixture congestion and dips in form can expose a thin forward line quickly, particularly for a club competing domestically and in Europe. Brian Madjo offers another route. The youngster has shown enough promise to justify patience, but asking him to carry a major attacking burden would represent a significant step. Viveros brings something different. His 18 league goals provide immediate evidence of production, while his Colombian debut has increased his profile in Europe. He can make a January case without Villa abandoning Jackson. Should Aston Villa push for Viveros in January? RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 24: Kevin Viveros of Athletico Paranaense celebrates after scoring the third goal of his team during the match between Botafogo and Athletico Paranaense as part of Brasileirao 2026 at Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos on August 24, 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images) My view is that Emery should monitor Viveros closely but avoid forcing the deal simply because his scoring figures look spectacular. Jackson deserves a proper run as Villa’s main striker after such a major investment, while Madjo needs opportunities to develop without added pressure. If Viveros remains prolific through the end of the Brazilian season and Athletico lower their asking price, the equation changes. A fee near €20 million would deserve serious consideration; €30-40 million would demand much greater scrutiny. For now, Villa have already committed heavily to Jackson again. Viveros looks like sensible insurance rather than an urgent replacement, and that distinction matters for Emery’s January planning.