Aston Villa defeated Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park on Saturday, October 24, ending the visitors’ perfect start to the Premier League season. Nicolas Jackson scored twice for Unai Emery’s side, while Erling Haaland found the net for Manchester City. The result also ended Enzo Maresca’s winning run in the league, leaving City with their first defeat of the campaign after seven consecutive victories. Villa took the lead in the sixth minute after Manchester City defender Marc Guehi lost control of a pass from Ruben Dias. John McGinn quickly released Jackson, who took advantage of the defensive mistake and fired the ball into the net. City responded by pushing forward in search of an equaliser, but Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki produced important saves to deny Rayan Cherki and Iliman Ndiaye, who also struck the post. Manchester City eventually drew level seven minutes into the second half. Ndiaye delivered a cross into the penalty area, allowing Haaland to rise above the Villa defence and head the ball past Suzuki. The goal was Haaland’s 13th of the season, continuing his impressive scoring form. City then came close to taking the lead when Josko Gvardiol forced Suzuki into another important save, with the goalkeeper tipping his effort onto the crossbar. Villa regained the advantage in the 60th minute through Jackson, who completed his brace after substitute Ibrahim Mbaye supplied the cross. The striker’s first-time effort slipped underneath City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, restoring the hosts’ lead. Manchester City introduced Phil Foden and Rico Lewis as they searched for another equaliser, but Villa defended resolutely. Haaland had a late opportunity to rescue a point, only for Ian Maatsen to clear his goal-bound effort. The victory lifted Aston Villa to sixth place with 11 points from eight league matches, marking their first home win in the Premier League this season. For Manchester City, the defeat ended their 100 per cent league record and denied them the chance to win their opening eight matches. Villa’s disciplined defending and Jackson’s clinical finishing proved decisive, giving Emery’s side a valuable victory against one of the early-season title contenders.