Nicolas Jackson double punishes Manchester City as Aston Villa halt perfect league start

Aston Villa handed Manchester City their first Premier League defeat of the season with a 2-1 victory at Villa Park on Saturday, as defensive mistakes from Mark Guehi and Gianluigi Donnarumma proved decisive.

The result ended Manchester City’s run of seven consecutive league wins and left them on 21 points after eight matches. Aston Villa moved up to sixth on 11 points, strengthening their position in the race for European qualification.

Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring after only six minutes, capitalising on a costly error from Guehi in the Manchester City defence.

Guehi received the ball in the back line but was unable to deal with it cleanly, allowing Aston Villa’s players to apply pressure and win possession. John McGinn reacted quickly, taking advantage of the confusion before finding Senegal striker Jackson.

Manchester City attempted to close down the space, but Jackson produced an accomplished finish. He went past Anderson before striking firmly into the roof of the net to give the hosts an early lead.

Manchester City improved after the interval and restored parity in the 52nd minute through Erling Haaland.

A short free-kick was played towards the right, where Ndiaye again moved beyond Maatsen on the outside before delivering a precise cross into the penalty area. Haaland met it from eight yards and powered a header into the goal.

The equaliser extended Haaland’s scoring sequence to seven consecutive Premier League matches this season and appeared to give Manchester City the momentum needed to complete a comeback.

However, the visitors’ defensive problems resurfaced eight minutes later. Jackson restored Aston Villa’s lead in the 60th minute after another lapse, this time involving goalkeeper Donnarumma.

A long ball sent Mbaye into a direct contest with Josko Gvardiol. As Gvardiol moved towards the penalty area, Mbaye delivered a cross which Jackson met first time towards goal.

The effort appeared to be within Donnarumma’s reach, but the Italian goalkeeper could not hold it. The ball slipped beneath him and crossed the line, leaving Manchester City’s players visibly frustrated.

Aston Villa held on to claim a significant victory, while Manchester City were left to reflect on a missed opportunity to maintain their unbeaten record and perfect winning sequence.

The defeat, suffered by Enzo Maresca’s side despite Haaland’s continued scoring form, underlined the cost of losing concentration at the back. Guehi’s early mistake and Donnarumma’s second-half error gave Aston Villa the openings they needed to secure all three points.