Aston Villa’s 2–1 victory over Manchester City at Villa Park on Saturday ended City’s perfect start to the Premier League season, with Nicolas Jackson scoring twice against Enzo Maresca’s previously unbeaten side. Unai Emery’s team delivered a combative, disciplined display to secure their first home league win of the campaign.

The turning point came in the sixth minute when John McGinn seized on Marc Guéhi’s loose touch and played in Jackson. The Villa forward cut inside Elliot Anderson and fired high past Gianluigi Donnarumma to give the hosts an early lead.

Manchester City, who had won their opening seven league matches, equalised in the 52nd minute when Erling Haaland headed in Iliman Ndiaye’s cross from close range. It was Haaland’s 13th goal in 10 appearances this season, but City’s advantage lasted only eight minutes.

Villa restored their lead on the hour when substitute Ibrahim Mbaye crossed for Jackson, whose first-time effort from the edge of the box squirmed under Donnarumma. Zion Suzuki then played a key role in preserving the lead, tipping Joško Gvardiol’s shot onto the bar before Ian Maatsen cleared a late Haaland header.

The defeat was City’s first in the Premier League under Maresca and ended their bid for an eighth consecutive league win. While the errors by Guéhi and Donnarumma proved costly, Villa’s aggressive start and resilience were central to the result.

For Villa, the win extended their recent upturn in form and underlined their ability to compete with the league’s leading sides. For City, it was a reminder that their unbeaten record could not shield them from individual mistakes or an opponent prepared to press and counter with conviction.