Jackson scores twice as Villa end City's perfect Premier League start
Aston Villa's 2-1 victory at home to Manchester City snapped the visitors' seven-game winning streak and lifted Villa to sixth place in the league table.
By Thomas Obasi ·
Nicolas Jackson scored both goals for Aston Villa in a 2-1 win over Manchester City at Villa Park on Saturday. The result ended a flawless start to the Premier League season for the visitors, who had won their first seven matches under manager Enzo Maresca.
Jackson's first goal arrived in the sixth minute. A heavy touch from Marc Guehi gave Jackson possession, and he cut inside Elliott Anderson before firing a high shot past Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Villa took the lead quickly, setting the tone for the remainder of the first half.
Manchester City controlled possession for much of the opening period but faced resistance from Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. The keeper denied Iliman Ndiaye, Rayan Cherki, and Abdukodir Khusanov. Ndiaye also struck the post during a sustained pressure phase. Maresca had become the first manager to win his opening seven Premier League games with a new club, but he could not find a way through Villa's defense in the first 45 minutes.
The pressure resulted in an equalizer in the 52nd minute. Erling Haaland powered in a header from a Ndiaye cross. The goal marked Haaland's 13th in 10 appearances this season. Shortly after, Josko Gvardiol had a chance to put City ahead, but his fierce drive was turned onto the crossbar by Suzuki.
Villa responded exactly one hour into the match. Ibrahim Mbaye received a pass behind the City defense and crossed the ball for Jackson. His low shot beat Donnarumma, who should have made the save. City pushed for another goal in the final minutes but failed to convert their chances into a result.
The loss marks the fourth consecutive season that Manchester City has dropped points at Villa Park. For Aston Villa, the win is their sixth in seven matches across all competitions. The victory moves the club to sixth place in the Premier League standings.
Manager Unai Emery has rebuilt his squad significantly over the past four years. He has transformed Villa from a mid-table side into a Champions League participant. The current squad includes new summer signings Jackson, Suzuki, Mbaye, and Johan Manzambi. These players have contributed to the team's recent success despite a slow start to the campaign.
Six players who started in Villa's Europa League victory last summer left during the transfer window. Emery's strategy of replacing departing stars with new arrivals appears to be working. The team has maintained its competitive level despite the turnover in personnel.
The result leaves Manchester City vulnerable at the top of the table. Arsenal can move level with City on points if they defeat Everton at home later on Saturday. The 10-time champions are currently appealing a guilty verdict on more than 100 charges of breaking financial rules between 2009 and 2018. The potential sanctions include relegation, but the loss at Villa Park was attributed by the team to two defensive errors rather than the off-field legal issues.
