Nicolas Jackson scores twice as Aston Villa end Manchester City's winning start

Aston Villa beat Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park in the Premier League on 24 October 2026. Nicolas Jackson scored both Villa goals. The result was City's first league defeat this season. It ended a run of seven straight league wins under manager Enzo Maresca.

Jackson opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Before the goal, City conceded a corner after goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was penalised for taking too long over a goal kick. City defender Marc Guehi then failed to control the ball. John McGinn won it from him and passed to Jackson.

Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made several first-half saves, including from Iliman Ndiaye and Rayan Cherki. Ndiaye also hit the post. Guehi was booked for pulling down Jackson near the edge of the penalty area. He was substituted at half-time.

Erling Haaland equalised early in the second half with a header from an Ndiaye cross. It was his 13th goal of the season in all competitions. Suzuki later turned a strong shot from Josko Gvardiol onto the crossbar. Around the hour mark, Jackson scored again from a low cross by substitute Ibrahim Mbaye. Late on, Ian Maatsen blocked a goal-bound header from Haaland.

City have now lost their last four league visits to Villa Park.

According to ESPN, Arsenal beat Everton 2-0 later on Saturday to draw level on points with City. ESPN reported that City remain top on goal difference. According to Al Jazeera, the win lifted Villa to sixth. The Guardian reported that Ndiaye had a penalty claim waved away.

City have been found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules. According to Al Jazeera, the club is appealing the verdict. Al Jazeera reported that it concerned more than 100 charges covering 2009 to 2018 and could lead to sanctions including relegation. BBC Sport reported that Villa supporters constantly reminded City's travelling fans that their side were "cheats". ESPN reported that City were booed before kickoff.

What is disputed

The exact minute of Haaland's equaliser differs. Al Jazeera puts it in the 52nd minute, and ESPN says it came seven minutes after the break. The Guardian puts it in the 53rd.

What each side says

Asked whether both goals were avoidable, Maresca told TNT Sports, according to BBC Sport: "Absolutely, both." He added: "We played most of the game in their box but you have to be clinical and avoid mistakes like the two goals we conceded."

Asked by BBC Sport about Guehi's form, Maresca said: "No, I'm not worried about Marc at all." ESPN quoted him as calling the substitution "just a technical decision". BBC Sport and ESPN reported that he said it was partly because Guehi was on a yellow card.

Former City defender Steph Houghton said on BBC Radio 5 Live that Villa's game plan worked well. "Donnarumma, especially with the second goal, could probably have done a little bit better," she said.

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include post-match comments from Villa manager Unai Emery or Villa players.

Analysis

The defeat ends City's perfect league start but leaves them top, according to ESPN, though level on points with Arsenal. Both Villa goals followed City errors, which Maresca himself acknowledged. Whether this proves a one-off or a pattern may become clearer in City's two matches against Brighton next week, reported by BBC Sport. Off the pitch, the financial-rules verdict and City's appeal, reported by Al Jazeera, remain a separate factor. The reports reviewed do not describe the appeal's timetable. For Villa, the result adds to a run of recent wins. How long that form lasts remains open.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.