Aston Villa 2-1 Man City: Nicolas Jackson scores both Villa goals as Enzo Maresca’s 100 per cent record ends in defeat
Nicolas Jackson scored twice as Manchester City dropped points for the first time this season in a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa.
The Villa striker took advantage of errors from Marc Guehi and Gianluigi Donnarumma either side of Erling Haaland's headed equaliser in what was an impressively combative display by Unai Emery's side that seemed to rattle Enzo Maresca's City - much to the delight of the home fans.
Villa came into the game seeking their first home win of the Premier League season but three victories on the bounce in all competitions had brought confidence and their aggressive start was rewarded when Jackson punished Guehi's loose touch with a smart finish.
City appeared rushed, with Villa making more tackles in the first half than they had in any opening 45 minutes of a Premier League game this season or last, but there were still moments of quality.
Rayan Cherki was denied by Zion Suzuki, while Iliman Ndiaye struck the foot of the far post.
Haaland finally did level for City when heading in Ndiaye's cross and there only looked one winner at that stage, Suzuki tipping Josko Gvardiol's shot on to the bar. But Jackson restored Villa's advantage instead following less impressive work by Donnarumma.
Jackson's first-time shot from the newly introduced Ibrahim Mbaye's centre somehow crept under the Italian goalkeeper and though Ian Maatsen had to clear a goal-bound header from Haaland late on, Villa saw the game out.
They move up to sixth. City's perfect record is gone.
More to follow...
7 - GOAL! Jackson seized on Guehi's error for the opener
21 - SAVE! Cherki was denied an equaliser by Suzuki's save
28 - POST! Ndiaye hit the post for City as they kept pushing
53 - GOAL! Haaland nodded in Ndiaye's cross from close range
56 - BAR! Gvardiol's shot was pushed onto the bar by Suzuki
60 - GOAL! Jackson beat Donnarumma to restore Villa's lead
89 - CLEARED! Haaland had a late effort cleared by Maatsen
- Last
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24 of October 2026
