Jackson brace brings Manchester City’s winning run to an end against Aston Villa

Nicolas Jackson’s brace earned Aston Villa a 2-1 home win over Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday, bringing City’s run of consecutive league victories to an end. The forward scored in each half. Manchester City remain top despite the defeat, but Arsenal now have the opportunity to draw level on points later on Saturday.

Jackson put Aston Villa ahead in the sixth minute after Marc Guéhi lost possession with a heavy touch. John McGinn, Villa’s captain, seized on the mistake and supplied the forward, who finished into the small side of the goal. Villa had an early lead, leaving Manchester City to chase the game.

The second goal came in the 60th minute. Ibrahim Mbaye surged down the right before squaring the ball to Jackson. The Senegalese forward drove his shot beneath Gianluigi Donnarumma, who had advanced in an attempt to stop him. The finish sealed Villa’s win and lifted the team to sixth place with 11 points. Unai Emery’s side also claimed its first league victory at Villa Park this season and made it three consecutive league wins against Manchester City.

City pressed for an equaliser late on. Ian Maatsen headed a Haaland effort off the line, while saves by Zion Suzuki helped Villa hold on. The result was also Aston Villa’s fourth consecutive home victory against Manchester City.

Manchester City have 21 points from eight matches. Arsenal can match that tally when they host Everton later on Saturday, with the possibility of cutting the gap to three points. City also face the prospect of a ruling that could find the club guilty of 114 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules; the case is currently being examined. The match came amid off-field turbulence, with Manchester City’s players led by Enzo Maresca.

After the match, Jackson praised the result and the opposition: « It was incredible, we won and that is the most important thing. Manchester City are a strong team, and they are top of the league. » He added: « This is only the beginning, and we are trying to work match after match. »