In the Aston Villa vs Manchester City clash at Villa Park, Nicolas Jackson scored twice to end City’s 100% Premier League start. The win stretches Villa’s unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions.
Villa strike early
City had looked unstoppable this season, but Villa halted them early. A loose touch from Marc Guehi gave Jackson his chance. He ran into the box, went past Elliot Anderson and fired into the roof of the net.
City responded almost immediately. Iliman Ndiaye cut in off the right and curled a left-footed shot toward the far post, but Zion Suzuki made a flying save.
Suzuki keeps City at bay
Suzuki was busy again midway through the first half. He denied Rayan Cherki low to his left after Jeremy Doku set him up in the area.
Enzo Maresca’s side kept pressing. Ndiaye again cut in from the right and curled a left-footed effort at the far post, but this time it came back off the woodwork.
Trailing at the break wasn’t necessarily fatal for City, since 88% of their away league goals this season have come in the second half.
Haaland levels, then Jackson strikes again
Within 10 minutes of the restart, a well-worked free-kick found Ndiaye, who delivered a perfect cross. Erling Haaland headed it home at the far post to level the score.
City nearly turned it around when Josko Gvardiol’s fierce strike was tipped onto the bar by Suzuki. It proved a vital save. Minutes later, Villa went up the other end and Jackson’s low drive squirmed beneath Gianluigi Donnarumma to restore the lead.
Villa hold firm
Suzuki kept City out again, reacting quickly to stop Gvardiol from prodding home a loose ball. In the closing stages it was backs to the wall for Unai Emery’s men, but they defended resolutely.
They survived a late scare when Ian Maatsen cleared Haaland’s header off the line. The result denied City the chance to become only the eighth English top-flight side to win their first eight games of a season.
Man of the Match: Nicolas Jackson (Aston Villa)