Nicolas Jackson double ends Manchester City’s perfect Premier League start

Aston Villa ended Manchester City’s perfect Premier League run with a 2-1 victory at Villa Park on Saturday, Nicolas Jackson scoring in both halves to secure a damaging result for Enzo Maresca’s men amid the club’s off-field financial case.

City stay top of the table on 21 points, but Arsenal can move level later on Saturday. They will do so by beating Everton at home and wiping out the three-point gap.

The result lifted Unai Emery’s side to sixth on 11 points and gave them their first league win at Villa Park this season. It was also Villa’s third consecutive league victory over Manchester City.

City continue to play under the shadow of a guilty verdict relating to 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules. The club has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Villa made the most of two defensive errors to claim victory. They took the lead in the sixth minute after Marc Guehi’s heavy touch allowed Villa captain John McGinn to win possession and find Jackson, who calmly placed his finish into the bottom corner.

Manchester City responded shortly after half-time. Iliman Ndiaye delivered a clipped free-kick cross into the area and Erling Haaland rose to head the ball beyond the goalkeeper and make it 1-1.

Jackson restored Villa’s advantage on the hour. Ibrahim Mbaye drove forward down the right before pulling the ball back to his Senegal team-mate, whose effort went underneath Gianluigi Donnarumma as the goalkeeper dived to his right.

Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki then produced a series of outstanding saves to protect the lead and ensure his side held on for three points.

The victory strengthens Villa’s position in sixth place, while City’s first dropped points of the Premier League campaign leaves Arsenal with the opportunity to join them at the top of the table.