Nicolas Jackson strikes twice as Aston Villa end Manchester City’s perfect Premier League start

Aston Villa ended Manchester City’s perfect Premier League record with a 2-1 victory at Villa Park on Saturday, Nicolas Jackson scoring in both halves to secure a damaging defeat for Enzo Maresca’s men.

City remain top of the table on 21 points, although the loss gives Arsenal the opportunity to move level later on Saturday. Arsenal can close the three-point gap when they host Everton.

The result lifted Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side to sixth place on 11 points. It was their first league win at Villa Park this season and their third successive Premier League victory over Manchester City.

City’s latest defeat came as the club continues to play under the shadow of a guilty verdict relating to 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules. Manchester City have consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Jackson opened the scoring after only six minutes, capitalising on a mistake in the City defence. Marc Guehi’s heavy touch gave Villa captain John McGinn the chance to win possession, and he quickly supplied Jackson.

The striker kept his composure to place the ball into the bottom corner and give the hosts an early advantage.

Manchester City found an equaliser shortly after half-time. Erling Haaland met a clipped free-kick delivery from Iliman Ndiaye with a header and guided the ball beyond the Villa goalkeeper.

Villa restored their lead on the hour mark through Jackson’s second goal of the match. Ibrahim Mbaye made progress down the right before cutting the ball back to his Senegal team-mate, who struck a low effort that slipped underneath Gianluigi Donnarumma as he tried to save.

Manchester City pushed for another response, but Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki produced a series of impressive saves to protect his side’s advantage and secure the three points.

The victory gave Aston Villa their first home league success of the campaign, while City’s defeat leaves their position at the top of the table vulnerable to Arsenal’s result against Everton.