Nicolas Jackson's two goals sink Manchester City at Villa Park

Manchester City’s perfect start to the campaign came to a halt with a 2-1 loss at Villa Park, a result that saw Nicolas Jackson score both goals for the home side.

Enzo Maresca had previously made history as the first manager to win his first seven Premier League games after joining a new club. That streak, however, was snapped by a performance that highlighted City's ongoing struggles at this specific ground, where they have now dropped points in four consecutive seasons.

The match turned early on when Villa struck in the sixth minute. A heavy touch from Marc Guehi placed the ball at Jackson's feet, allowing him to cut inside Elliott Anderson and fire a high shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma to give the hosts an early advantage.

City dominated possession for much of the first half, yet they were repeatedly held at bay by Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. The keeper denied efforts from Iliman Ndiaye, Rayan Cherki, and Abdukodir Khusanov before Ndiaye’s strike hit the woodwork, keeping the scoreline level despite the visitors' relentless pressure.

The visitors finally broke through in the 52nd minute when Erling Haaland powered in a header from a Ndiaye cross. The strike marked his 13th goal in his last ten appearances this season. Shortly after, Josko Gvardiol had a chance to put City ahead, but his powerful drive was tipped onto the crossbar by Suzuki.

Villa responded just as quickly in the 60th minute. Ibrahim Mbaye received a pass behind the City defense and delivered a cross for Jackson. The forward finished low with a shot that Donnarumma should have been able to save, restoring the home team's lead.

City pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages but could not find a way past the Villa defense. The result keeps Arsenal in a strong position to move level with City on points at the top of the table, provided they defeat Everton at home later on Saturday. For Villa, the victory was their sixth win in seven matches across all competitions, lifting them to sixth place in the standings.

The win underscores the long-term project Unai Emery has led since his arrival four years ago. He has transformed the club from a dormant force into a consistent Champions League participant, even after losing six starters from last season's Europa League-winning squad during the recent transfer window. The new summer additions, including Jackson, Suzuki, Mbaye, and Johan Manzambi, have already proven their worth following a slow start to the term.

The defeat also comes amid uncertainty for Manchester City. The 10-time English champions are appealing a guilty verdict on over 100 charges related to financial rule breaches between 2009 and 2018. Potential sanctions, which could include relegation, have hung over the club, though Maresca's players appeared focused on the pitch. Ultimately, two defensive lapses proved costly in this high-stakes encounter.