Aston Villa ended Manchester City’s 100 per cent start to the Premier League season with a 2–1 victory at Villa Park on Saturday, as Nicolas Jackson scored twice to secure a major win for Unai Emery’s side.
Jackson struck in the sixth and 60th minutes, while Erling Haaland briefly brought City level in the 52nd minute. The result handed Enzo Maresca’s side their first league defeat of the campaign after winning their opening seven matches.
Villa made an aggressive start and were rewarded when Jackson capitalised on a defensive mistake by Marc Guéhi before firing past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to put the hosts ahead.
City responded with sustained pressure and threatened through Rayan Cherki and Iliman Ndiaye, whose first-half effort struck the post. Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki also produced important saves to keep the visitors at bay.
The Premier League leaders eventually equalised seven minutes after the interval. Ndiaye delivered a cross into the area, allowing Haaland to rise and head home in the 52nd minute.
However, Villa restored their advantage eight minutes later. Substitute Ibrahim Mbaye supplied the cross for Jackson, whose first-time effort slipped beneath Donnarumma to make it 2–1.
City pushed for another equaliser and came close late on, but Ian Maatsen cleared a Haaland header off the line as Villa held on for all three points.
Jackson’s double continued his impressive run of form, taking his tally to six goals in his last six matches, according to Sky Sports. His movement and finishing proved decisive against a City side that created opportunities but failed to convert enough of them.
Despite enjoying more possession and registering seven shots on target to Villa’s two, City were punished for costly defensive errors. Maresca acknowledged afterwards that his side had created chances but needed to be more clinical and avoid the mistakes that led to both goals.
The victory lifted Villa to sixth place and delivered their first home win of the Premier League season, while City’s perfect league record came to an end.
Villa will look to build on the result as they continue their push up the table, while City must regroup quickly for a demanding run of fixtures.