Jackson double ends Man City's perfect start as Villa win at Villa Park

Aston Villa brought Manchester City's perfect Premier League start to a crashing halt at Villa Park, winning 2-1 as Nicolas Jackson scored twice, either side of an Erling Haaland header for City.

Villa went ahead after just six minutes. A heavy touch by Marc Guehi presented Jackson with possession, and he cut inside Elliott Anderson before blasting the ball high past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Despite falling behind, City largely dominated the remainder of the first half. But a brilliant display from Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki kept them out. Iliman Ndiaye, Rayan Cherki and Abdukodir Khusanov were all denied by Suzuki, while Ndiaye also struck the post.

City's pressure finally told on 52 minutes. Haaland powered in a header from Ndiaye's cross to level the score — his 13th goal in 10 appearances this season.

Moments later City nearly went ahead, when Suzuki turned Josko Gvardiol's blistering drive onto the crossbar. But after that missed chance, control of the match swung back to Villa.

The decisive goal came on the hour mark. Ibrahim Mbaye was played in behind the City defence and crossed, and from that cross Jackson drilled home a low effort for his second — a shot Donnarumma should arguably have saved.

The defeat means City have now lost at Villa Park in each of the past four seasons. Enzo Maresca, the first manager to win his first seven Premier League games in charge of a new club, also failed to find a solution to City's struggles at this ground.

Villa's rise under Unai Emery, meanwhile, continues. Four years on from his arrival, Emery has transformed the club from a sleeping giant into a Champions League side. Even though six players from last season's Europa League-winning team left in the transfer window, recruits such as Jackson, Suzuki, Mbaye and Johan Manzambi are already paying dividends.

Until now, City had managed to shrug off the cloud hanging over the club's future. The 10-time English champions are appealing a guilty verdict on more than 100 charges of breaking financial rules between 2009 and 2018, which could lead to severe sanctions including relegation. On the day, though, they were made to pay for two sloppy defensive errors.

A sixth win in seven games in all competitions lifts Villa up to sixth in the table. And City's defeat gives Arsenal the chance to move level on points at the top when they host Everton later on Saturday.

In the end, Jackson's double and Suzuki's outstanding goalkeeping carried Villa to a big home win — and ended City's perfect run.