Nicolas Jackson Double Ends Manchester City’s Unbeaten Start at Villa
Manchester City’s unbeaten Premier League start ended with a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, where Nicolas Jackson struck twice to extend Unai Emery’s side’s improving run and condemn Enzo Maresca to his first league loss as City manager.
Match facts
| Item | Figure | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City | Premier League, Villa Park |
| Nicolas Jackson | 2 goals | His third and fourth league goals of the campaign |
| Erling Haaland | 9 league goals | Levelled the match early in the second half |
| Villa home record | First league win | Villa’s first Premier League victory at Villa Park this season |
Villa have now won four matches in succession in all competitions after their difficult opening to the season. The result also continued City’s poor recent record at Villa Park, where they have lost each of their past four league visits.
City’s players had been greeted by boos before kick-off, following last month’s finding that the club had committed serious breaches of the competition’s financial regulations. Their afternoon then began badly when Gianluigi Donnarumma delayed over a goal-kick, leading to a Villa corner and sustained early pressure.
The home side took the lead in the sixth minute. Marc Guehi failed to bring the ball under control, allowing John McGinn to take possession and feed Jackson. The forward finished sharply into the upper part of the net.
City responded with purpose but found Zion Suzuki in outstanding form. The Japan international turned away Iliman Ndiaye’s curling shot, denied Rayan Cherki after clever work from Jérémy Doku, and also saved from Abdukodir Khusanov’s long-range attempt.
Ndiaye was a repeated danger before the interval. Having earlier tested Suzuki after cutting inside, he later struck the outside of the post as City continued to search for a way back.
Haaland had made little impact during the opening period, but City drew level seven minutes after the restart. Ndiaye supplied the cross and the Norway striker headed beyond Suzuki for his ninth Premier League goal of the season.
The visitors appeared to have the momentum after equalising. Suzuki then tipped Josko Gvardiol’s powerful effort onto the crossbar, a vital intervention before Villa regained their advantage on the hour.
Victor Lindelöf began the counterattack, with the move eventually reaching substitute Ibrahim Mbaye. Mbaye’s first significant involvement was a pass for Jackson, whose shot squeezed past Donnarumma to restore Villa’s lead.
City pressed hard in the closing stages and Haaland came close to a second equaliser, only for Ian Maatsen to block his goalbound header. Villa held on for three points that lifted the mood around Villa Park, while Maresca’s perfect league record came to an end.
