Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City: Jackson 6, 60; Haaland 52
If Manchester City’s perfect start to the Premier League campaign was going to come to an end, Aston Villa were always one of the sides most likely to do it. They did the double over City last season, and while they started a bit poorly this term, they have now won six of their last seven games in all competitions and Unai Emery’s train is back on track.
Nicolas Jackson scored twice as Villa beat Enzo Maresca’s side 2-1 at Villa Park, the hosts revelling in their confidence and growing momentum. City, in contrast, struggled to settle from the very opening minutes. Villa pressed with purpose and punished their opponents early, with Jackson opening the scoring in the sixth minute.
Marc Guehi was at fault after failing to control a pass from Ruben Dias. Jackson seized on the loose ball and drove his finish past Gianluigi Donnarumma to give Villa an early lead.
The goal left City with work to do, but they gradually found their way into the game. Rayan Cherki and Iliman Ndiaye tested the Villa defence as the visitors enjoyed more possession around the home penalty area. Ndiaye also had a penalty appeal rejected before going close to scoring.
Villa remained organised at the back and looked dangerous whenever they broke forward. Jackson’s pace and strength caused Guehi repeated problems, and the City defender was booked for pulling the striker back near the edge of the penalty area. Maresca replaced him at half-time.
City found the equaliser eight minutes after the restart. Ndiaye beat Ian Maatsen on the right and delivered a cross that Erling Haaland met with a close-range header in the 53rd minute.
It was the Norwegian’s 13th goal of the season, and City appeared ready to take control. Josko Gvardiol and Jeremy Doku both threatened as the visitors pushed for a second goal, but Villa refused to retreat.
The hosts soon found the space they needed to strike again. Jackson released Ibrahim Mbaye before continuing his run into the penalty area. When the cross came back, the striker finished first time to restore Villa’s lead.
Aura. https://t.co/wuqFYpBq6P
— Aston Villa (@AstonVilla) October 24, 2026
Donnarumma should have done better with the shot. The goalkeeper allowed the ball to slip beneath him, handing City another setback after their earlier defensive mistake had already put them under pressure.
Maresca turned to Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and Ryan McAidoo in search of a response. The academy graduates brought fresh energy, but City struggled to make their late pressure count. Their passing became increasingly skittish, and Villa defended their advantage with discipline.
Jackson left the pitch to a standing ovation with eight minutes remaining. Haaland almost rescued a point in the closing stages, but Maatsen was there to say no.
