Jackson's double at Villa Park ends Manchester City's perfect league start
Nicolas Jackson scored either side of an Erling Haaland header and Aston Villa beat the leaders 2-1, their fourth win in a row against City at Villa Park.
Editorial board · 24 October 2026
Manchester City's perfect start to the Premier League season ended at Villa Park on Saturday. Nicolas Jackson scored twice, either side of an Erling Haaland header, and Aston Villa won 2-1, the first league defeat of Enzo Maresca's time in charge.
Villa led after six minutes. Marc Guéhi's heavy touch let John McGinn in, and McGinn set up Jackson. Iliman Ndiaye hit the post for City before half-time.
Haaland levelled seven minutes after the break, heading in Ndiaye's cross for his ninth league goal of the season. Eight minutes later Villa were ahead again: Ibrahim Mbaye's low cross, Jackson's first-time finish.
City had the ball for almost two-thirds of the match and took 15 shots, seven of them on target; Villa's goalkeeper saved six. Villa had two shots on target and scored with both. Late on, Ian Maatsen cleared a Haaland header, and in stoppage time Maresca and Villa's coaching staff exchanged words on the touchline.
It was Villa's first home league win of the season and their fourth win in a row in all competitions, on the fourth anniversary of Unai Emery's appointment. Villa have now won five of their last seven meetings with City and the last four at Villa Park. Brian Madjo, 17, made his Premier League debut.
City stay top on 21 points, three clear of Arsenal, who play Everton on Saturday afternoon.
