Aston Villa beat Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park, with Nicolas Jackson scoring twice to end the visitors' perfect start to the Premier League season. The defeat was Manchester City's fourth in a row at this venue, and it came despite Erling Haaland equalising for the visitors in the second half.
Jackson opened the scoring in the sixth minute after capitalising on a defensive error, and he added a second after the break to secure the win. The result means Manchester City have now lost four successive away league games to a single side for the first time since February 2023, when they lost to Tottenham Hotspur.
Fast Start and Early Mistakes
Aston Villa began at a rapid pace, while Manchester City were slow to get going. The visitors were so ponderous in the opening stages that they conceded a corner after being penalised for taking too long over a goal-kick. Marc Guéhi, who had made two mistakes in the previous weekend's game against Ipswich that led to goals, was again punished for the opener, miscontrolling a Rúben Dias pass to allow Jackson to run through and score.
Manchester City did not look like a side that had won every Premier League game so far this season. The hosts, meanwhile, played like a team sitting second in the Champions League standings with three wins out of three, rather than their mid-table league position.
Second-Half Response and Late Drama
City enjoyed plenty of possession in and around the Villa area, but Iliman Ndiaye, who had a penalty claim waved away, and Rayan Cherki were thwarted by Zion Suzuki's reactions. Villa defended with commitment and discipline, limiting the space available. While City constantly threatened and Ndiaye struck the post, Villa remained dangerous on the counterattack, with Jackson proving a mismatch for Guéhi, who was booked for pulling him down and was replaced at the break.
City's pressure paid off in the 53rd minute when Ndiaye got the better of Ian Maatsen and found Haaland, who headed home from close range for his 13th goal of the season. City went close through Josko Gvardiol and Doku, but then lapsed again. Villa moved the ball quickly from back to front, with Jackson sending the ball out to Ibrahim Mbaye before getting on the end of the cross for his second goal, which slipped under Donnarumma.
Late Push and Villa's Victory
The academy trio Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and Ryan McAidoo were brought on to change things for the visitors and provided energy, but as City chased the game, they lost focus, with misdirected passes and crosses and needless bookings. Jackson went off with eight minutes left to a standing ovation. Haaland had a very late chance to level, but Maatsen cleared off the line to ensure Villa claimed the win.
The result ends Manchester City's perfect run, and they have now conceded nine goals across their last four games after conceding eight in their opening nine matches of the season in all competitions.
