Manchester City's perfect start to the Premier League season is over. Aston Villa beat the champions 2-1 at Villa Park on Saturday, with Nicolas Jackson scoring twice either side of an Erling Haaland header, to hand Enzo Maresca his first defeat since taking charge — and to confirm that this ground, more than any other in England, has City's number.
Contents
- A flying start, ended in six minutes
- Haaland strikes back — but Villa answer within minutes
- Suzuki, the wall City could not breach
- Villa Park: City's bogey ground
- What it means for the title race
- Key takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sources
- Chronicle further reading
A flying start, ended in six minutes
Maresca had made history before a ball was kicked at Villa Park: no manager had ever won his first seven Premier League games in charge of a new club. That record lasted six minutes. A heavy touch from Marc Guehi presented Jackson with possession, and the striker cut inside Elliott Anderson before blasting high past Gianluigi Donnarumma to give Villa the lead.
It was the worst possible start for a City side that had, until now, managed to shrug off the enormous cloud hanging over the club off the pitch. The champions are appealing a guilty verdict on more than 100 charges of breaking financial rules between 2009 and 2018, a case that could yet lead to severe sanctions, including relegation. On the field, though, they had simply kept winning — until they arrived in Birmingham.
Haaland strikes back — but Villa answer within minutes
City dominated much of the first half after falling behind, but found no way through. Their pressure finally told seven minutes after the restart, when Haaland powered in a header from Iliman Ndiaye's cross for his 13th goal in only 10 appearances this season. At 1-1, with momentum swinging, a City comeback looked the likeliest outcome.
Villa had other ideas. On the hour mark, Ibrahim Mbaye was played in behind the City defence, and from his cross Jackson drilled a low effort home — one Donnarumma will feel he should have saved — to restore the lead. It was the decisive moment of the match, and a reward for a Villa performance built on pace, directness and nerve.
Suzuki, the wall City could not breach
If Jackson supplied the goals, Zion Suzuki supplied the platform. The Villa goalkeeper produced a brilliant display, denying Ndiaye, Rayan Cherki and Abdukodir Khusanov before Ndiaye struck the post, and then turning Josko Gvardiol's blistering drive onto the crossbar moments after Haaland's equaliser.
City's late pressure came to nothing, and the visitors were left to reflect on two sloppy defensive errors rather than any lack of attacking intent. Villa, by contrast, were ruthless in both boxes — the hallmark of Unai Emery's best teams.
Villa Park: City's bogey ground
There is now a pattern that can no longer be dismissed as coincidence: City have lost at Villa Park in each of the past four seasons. Whatever the respective form of the two sides, something about this fixture bends against the champions.
The result also underlined how far Emery has taken Villa. Four years on from his arrival, the Spaniard has transformed a sleeping giant into a Champions League club, and he is working more magic despite seeing the spine of his squad dismantled. Six players from the side that started Villa's Europa League success last season left during the summer transfer window. Yet the recruitment of Jackson, Suzuki, Mbaye and Johan Manzambi is already paying dividends after a slow start to the campaign: this was a sixth win in seven games in all competitions, and it lifts Villa up to sixth in the table.
What it means for the title race
The defeat does not end City's title hopes — far from it — but it does reopen a race that was beginning to look like a procession. The visitors pressed in vain for another equaliser, and the door is now open for Arsenal to move level on points at the top of the table when they host Everton later on Saturday.
For Maresca, the defeat is also a first real test of his young reign. Winning seven straight games set an extraordinary standard; how City respond to their first setback will tell us more about this team than the winning run did. For Villa, meanwhile, this was a statement result: a rebuilt side, written off after a slow start, beating the champions on their own turf — again.
Key takeaways
- Aston Villa beat Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park, ending City's perfect Premier League start.
- Nicolas Jackson scored twice, in the 6th minute and on the hour mark, either side of Erling Haaland's header on 52 minutes.
- Enzo Maresca suffered his first defeat as City manager after winning his first seven league games, a Premier League record for a new manager.
- City have now lost at Villa Park in each of the past four seasons.
- Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki starred for Villa, denying Ndiaye, Cherki and Khusanov and turning a Gvardiol drive onto the bar.
- Villa's sixth win in seven games in all competitions lifts them to sixth; Arsenal can move level on points by beating Everton.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored in Aston Villa's 2-1 win over Manchester City?
Nicolas Jackson scored both of Villa's goals, in the 6th minute and on the hour mark. Erling Haaland headed City's equaliser on 52 minutes, his 13th goal in 10 appearances this season.
Why is the result significant for Manchester City?
It was Enzo Maresca's first defeat since taking charge, ending a run of seven straight Premier League wins — the first time any manager had won his first seven league games at a new club. It was also City's fourth consecutive league defeat at Villa Park.
What does the win mean for Aston Villa?
Villa's sixth win in seven games in all competitions lifts Unai Emery's side up to sixth in the Premier League, despite a summer rebuild that saw six players from last season's Europa League side depart.
Can Arsenal go level on points with Manchester City?
Yes. Arsenal can move level on points at the top of the table if they beat Everton at home later on Saturday.
Sources
- Al Jazeera: match report on Villa's 2-1 win, Jackson's double, Haaland's goal and the title-race implications.
