Aston Villa ended Manchester City’s perfect start to the Premier League season with a 2-1 victory at Villa Park on Saturday, as Nicolas Jackson scored in both halves to hand the visitors their first league defeat.
City remain top of the table with 21 points, but the loss gives Arsenal an opportunity to draw level when they host Everton later on Saturday.
The victory lifted Unai Emery’s Villa to sixth place on 11 points and extended their winning run against City to three consecutive league matches. It was also their first league victory at Villa Park this season.
City headed into the match amid continued scrutiny following a guilty verdict on 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules. The club has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Jackson opened the scoring in the sixth minute after a costly defensive error from Marc Guehi. The City defender’s heavy touch allowed Villa captain John McGinn to win possession and set up Jackson, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Erling Haaland restored parity shortly after the break, heading home Iliman Ndiaye’s clipped free-kick delivery to give City renewed hope.
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However, Villa regained the lead on the hour mark when Ibrahim Mbaye surged down the right before cutting the ball back for Jackson. The Senegalese striker’s effort slipped beneath Gianluigi Donnarumma as the goalkeeper attempted to make the save.
Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki then produced a series of impressive saves to preserve the home side’s advantage and secure all three points.
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