Aston Villa vs Manchester City; Premier League
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Aston Villa vs Manchester City. Premier League.
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Aston Villa 2-1 Man City: Nicolas Jackson scores both Villa goals as Enzo Maresca’s 100 per cent record ends in defeat
Report and free highlights as Aston Villa beat Man City 2-1 at Villa Park thanks to two goals by Nicolas Jackson; Erling Haaland’s goal in vain as City lose for the first time in the Premier League under Enzo Maresca; Villa pick up first home win in the competition this season
Saturday 24 October 2026 17:15, UK
Nicolas Jackson scored twice as Manchester City dropped points for the first time this season in a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa.
The Villa striker took advantage of errors from Marc Guehi and Gianluigi Donnarumma either side of Erling Haaland's headed equaliser in what was an impressively combative display by Unai Emery's side that seemed to rattle Enzo Maresca's City - much to the delight of the home fans.
Villa came into the game seeking their first home win of the Premier League season but three victories on the bounce in all competitions had brought confidence and their aggressive start was rewarded when Jackson punished Guehi's loose touch with a smart finish.
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City appeared rushed, with Villa making more tackles in the first half than they had in any opening 45 minutes of a Premier League game this season or last, but there were still moments of quality.
Rayan Cherki was denied by Zion Suzuki, while Iliman Ndiaye struck the foot of the far post.
Haaland finally did level for City when heading in Ndiaye's cross and there only looked one winner at that stage, Suzuki tipping Josko Gvardiol's shot on to the bar. But Jackson restored Villa's advantage instead following less impressive work by Donnarumma.
Jackson's first-time shot from the newly introduced Ibrahim Mbaye's centre somehow crept under the Italian goalkeeper and though Ian Maatsen had to clear a goal-bound header from Haaland late on, Villa saw the game out.
They move up to sixth. City's perfect record is gone.
Maresca: We were not clinical enough
Man City head coach Enzo Maresca speaking in the press conference:
"You can always do something better but for me when you plan a game, especially against this team, you know you are going to concede some transition, they play for that, they wait for that. But if you say before the game, I am only going to concede one transition I would be happy.
"In the second half, I don't remember any chances for them other than the goal that we conceded on transition. We lost because we were not being clinical enough in their box. We learn from the game, try to move on and improve."
Asked about the form of Marc Guehi, who was substituted at half-time having made a mistake for the opening goal:
"No, I am not worried about Marc at all, I know he played every minute since the season started, for us and the national team, so it is not easy. The change is because he is on a yellow card and if we want to be aggressive one yellow card can be dangerous but I am not worried at all."
The key moments from Villa Park
7 - GOAL! Jackson seized on Guehi's error for the opener
21 - SAVE! Cherki was denied an equaliser by Suzuki's save
28 - POST! Ndiaye hit the post for City as they kept pushing
53 - GOAL! Haaland nodded in Ndiaye's cross from close range
56 - BAR! Gvardiol's shot was pushed onto the bar by Suzuki
60 - GOAL! Jackson beat Donnarumma to restore Villa's lead
89 - CLEARED! Haaland had a late effort cleared by Maatsen
Cash: Emery a 'tactical genius'
Aston Villa defender Matty Cash speaking post-match:
"He's always got a new plan and new ideas. You have to adapt when you play the top teams."
On his battle with Jeremy Doku, Cash added:
"The manager gives you tasks but you need to take responsibility. Emery can't be doing it from the sidelines. I do a lot of work on how to stop wingers. Doku is a great one-on-one dribbler and I like to get tight early on. You can't do it all the time but I like to be aggressive and make it difficult for them. I thought I did it well.
"Getting close to him is the challenge. When a winger has his back up against me I can go and get tight. When Doku turns he's one of the best in the world. Being aggressive before he can turn is what I like to do."
Jackson is thriving under Emery
It is now six goals in his last six games for Jackson. He has been a revelation at Villa this season, making a mockery of those who had criticised his finishing. The intelligence of his movement has been impressive and his work rate and all-round game have endeared him to the supporters.
His role in the winner extended beyond the finish. It was his hooked ball forward that found Mbaye in space before making the run that allowed him to receive the pass inside the box. Jackson is still only 25 and the signs are that Villa are going to enjoy the best years of his career.
Tale of two keepers at Villa Park
Donnarumma is the Italian goalkeeper with the world-class reputation, but it was the player signed from Italian club Parma in the summer who outshone him at Villa Park. Suzuki pulled off a series of impressive saves - both high and low - to restrict Haaland and City to just one goal.
His opposite number had little to do but could not keep out Jackson. Making saves is supposed to be Donnarumma's forte. Suzuki looks the far superior goalkeeper with the ball at his feet. But the experienced City keeper failed to get down cleanly for the winner. It cost his side the game.
