Nicolas Jackson double stuns Man City as Aston Villa end perfect Premier League start

Nicolas Jackson double stuns Man City as Aston Villa end perfect Premier League start Manchester City’s perfect start to the Premier League season came to an end on Saturday as Nicolas Jackson scored twice to inspire Aston Villa to a 2-1 victory at Villa Park. Enzo Maresca’s side arrived having won their opening seven league matches, but Unai Emery’s men produced a disciplined performance to extend their unbeaten run to seven games across all competitions. Jackson opened the scoring early after Villa captain John McGinn capitalised on a poor touch from City defender Marc Guehi. The Scotland international released Jackson, who cut inside Elliot Anderson before firing an emphatic finish beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma. City responded positively and nearly equalised when Iliman Ndiaye curled an effort towards the far corner, forcing Zion Suzuki into an excellent save. The Villa goalkeeper was called upon again to deny Rayan Cherki after the Frenchman combined with Jeremy Doku. Ndiaye continued causing problems down the right and came agonisingly close to scoring when another curling effort struck the post. Despite City’s growing pressure, Villa maintained their narrow advantage heading into the interval. The visitors eventually found their equaliser shortly after the restart through Erling Haaland. A cleverly worked free-kick allowed Ndiaye to deliver an inviting cross, which Haaland met with a powerful header at the far post. City almost completed the turnaround when Josko Gvardiol unleashed a fierce effort that Suzuki tipped onto the crossbar. However, Villa regained their lead just eight minutes after Haaland’s equaliser. Substitute Ibrahim Mbaye delivered a low cross into the penalty area, where Jackson connected with a first-time finish that slipped beneath Donnarumma. The former Chelsea striker’s second goal proved decisive as Villa defended determinedly against sustained pressure. Suzuki produced another important intervention to prevent Gvardiol from converting a loose ball inside the area. City continued searching for an equaliser, but their best late opportunity disappeared when Ian Maatsen cleared Haaland’s goalbound header off the line. Villa subsequently held firm to secure their first home league victory of the campaign. The result also marked their fourth consecutive home league win over City and fifth victory in the clubs’ last seven meetings. Jackson, who has now scored seven goals in 11 appearances across all competitions this season, was central to another impressive result under Emery. Villa climbed into the top half of the table, while City missed the opportunity to become the eighth English top-flight team to win their opening eight matches. Maresca’s side remain three points clear at the summit, although their first league defeat offers their title rivals an opportunity to close the gap.