Jackson's brace at Villa Park ends City's unbeaten Premier League run

Aston Villa secured their first home win of the Premier League season thanks to a double from Nicolas Jackson to end Man City’s unbeaten record in the league so far. Erling Haaland equalised early in the second half but City fell behind yet again and couldn’t salvage a draw in the end, falling to their first defeat in the league this season.

Villa came flying out of the traps and opened the scoring within the first five minutes as a poor touch by Guehi gave the ball to McGinn who played Jackson in on the left. Jackson feinted past Anderson before smashing the ball past Donnarumma to give Emery’s side the lead. City responded well after conceding and nearly equalised just a few minutes later as Ndiaye cut inside on the right before curling a shot which was expertly saved by Suzuki in the Villa net.

The visitors continued searching for an equaliser throughout the first half and yet again were denied by Suzuki, Doku played a ball into Cherki in the box whose first time effort was well saved by the Japanese goalkeeper.

As if Maresca’s side couldn’t get any closer to equalising Ndiaye cut in yet again on the right wing before curling a shot which flew past Suzuki but hit the foot of the post to keep the visitors goalless. There were a couple of penalty shouts for both sides in the first half with Anderson holding up Manzambi and Maatsen sliding in on Ndiaye but both were checked and cleared by VAR with no clear and obvious error spotted.

By half-time City would have been wondering how they hadn’t equalised but Villa did look dangerous on the break when they went forward so there were more goals expected to come in the second half. Maresca made two changes at half-time bringing Phil Foden and Rico Lewis on for Rayan Cherki and Marc Guehi who struggled in the first half with both players picking up bookings in the first 45.

The changes made an impact as City equalised within the first ten minutes of the second half as Ndiaye picked up the ball on the right and crossed it into Erling Haaland who headed in his 9th goal of the Premier League season so far. Maresca’s side looked the more likely to score next but it was Villa who hit back as Jackson launched the ball to second half substitute Mbaye who raced down the right before pulling the ball back to Jackson who squirmed the ball under Donnarumma to give Villa the lead yet again.

The Villa goal halted City’s momentum in the second half massively and they couldn’t get it back as Emery’s side were sat in a deep block and City couldn’t break them down with poor decision making in the final third letting City down time after time.

Villa fought valiantly to see the game out and managed the last few minutes to move up to 6th place in the league and continue their now eight game unbeaten streak in all competitions.

City remain top of the league but Arsenal have a chance later on against Everton to go level on points with Maresca’s side with a win,