Aston Villa punish Man City mistakes to end seven-game winning run

Aston Villa ended Manchester City’s perfect start to the Premier League season on Saturday, securing a 2-1 victory at Villa Park as Nicolas Jackson scored twice to hand the title contenders their first league defeat of the campaign.

Jackson struck in the sixth minute and again on the hour to settle a closely contested encounter, cancelling out Erling Haaland’s second-half equaliser and extending Villa’s winning run against City at home.

The result ended City’s run of seven consecutive victories in the league and denied Enzo Maresca’s side the chance to make it eight wins from their opening eight matches.

Villa took the lead when City’s defensive uncertainty proved costly. Marc Guehi failed to control a pass from Ruben Dias, allowing John McGinn to seize possession and set up Jackson, who finished into the bottom corner in the sixth minute.

City gradually increased their pressure as the first half progressed, enjoying more possession but struggling to turn their control into a breakthrough. Villa remained organised defensively and looked dangerous whenever they moved forward quickly.

The visitors eventually found an equaliser shortly after the interval. In the 52nd minute, Iliman Ndiaye delivered a cross from a free-kick situation, allowing Haaland to rise above the defence and head the ball into the net.

The goal appeared to give City an opportunity to take control of the contest, but Villa responded before the visitors could establish their dominance.

Jackson restored the hosts’ advantage in the 60th minute after Ibrahim Mbaye advanced down the right and cut the ball back into the penalty area. The Senegalese forward connected with the delivery, sending his effort past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to complete his brace.

City pushed forward in search of another equaliser, forcing Villa to defend deep during the closing stages. Haaland came close to rescuing a point late in the game, but Ian Maatsen cleared his header off the line as the hosts held on for the victory.

Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki also made important saves to frustrate the visitors and preserve the advantage until the final whistle.

The victory lifted Unai Emery’s side to sixth place with 11 points, while City remained top of the table on 21 points despite losing their 100 per cent league record. Arsenal had the opportunity to draw level with the leaders by beating Everton later on Saturday.

Villa’s victory also continued their impressive recent record against City, marking their third consecutive Premier League win over the Manchester club and their fourth successive home league victory against them.

The defeat exposed costly defensive mistakes at a time when the team had appeared firmly in control of the early title race. Guehi’s error contributed to the opening goal, while Donnarumma was unable to keep out Jackson’s second-half winner.

The result leaves City needing to respond in their next league fixture, while Villa can take confidence from a performance that combined defensive resilience with the clinical finishing that decided the contest.