Manchester City's perfect start to the Premier League season is over after a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa. Nicolas Jackson scored twice for the hosts, with Erling Haaland's ninth league goal of the campaign proving only a consolation for the league leaders.
The loss at Villa Park on Tuesday ended manager Enzo Maresca's 100% record in the league and was City's fourth consecutive Premier League defeat at the ground. Jackson opened the scoring in the sixth minute, capitalising on a defensive error, and later restored Villa's lead on the hour after Haaland had briefly levelled the match.
"The Holte End has a new hero," Jackson said after the match, referencing the famous stand where his winning goal was celebrated. The result means City, who remain top of the table with 21 points from seven games, saw their lead over Arsenal cut to three points. Liverpool, in third, are now four points behind the leaders.
A familiar stumbling block
Villa Park has become a difficult venue for City in recent years. This latest setback follows a pattern of struggles there, despite the team's dominant form elsewhere. The early goal came from a mistake, putting City on the back foot, and they were unable to fully recover despite Haaland's equaliser early in the second half.
Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki was credited with several important saves for Villa to preserve their advantage, including a key stop from a close-range Phil Foden effort in the second period. Iliman Ndiaye also hit the post for the hosts as they pressed for a third. City's recent form now reads three wins and two losses from their last five matches across all competitions, a dip following a run of five straight victories. The team managed only two shots on target throughout the match at Villa Park.
Looking ahead
The focus now shifts to responding quickly. City's next fixture is at home to Brighton on Saturday, 31 October. Brighton currently sit third in the table, making it another significant test. Maresca confirmed after the game that midfielder Rodri completed the match despite a first-half knock, with no new major injury concerns reported.
Erling Haaland, with nine goals in seven league appearances, remains the team's top scorer this season. The defeat does not change City's position at the summit, but it introduces the first blemish on their league record. The team will aim to return to winning ways immediately against high-flying Brighton this weekend.
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Erling Haaland publicly criticised teammate Gianluigi Donnarumma during the defeat at Aston Villa. The striker was seen gesturing for the goalkeeper to return to his line after Donnarumma left his net to protest a free-kick decision in the 33rd minute. Manager Enzo Maresca told reporters that both goals conceded could have been avoided. The loss leaves City, who are 1st with 21 points from eight games, with a recent form of three wins and two losses from their last five matches.
Manager Enzo Maresca has admitted Manchester City's defensive struggles are a concern. The club has kept just one clean sheet in its last six matches, conceding nine goals in the past four. Maresca told reporters he is "not worried at all" about defender Marc Guehi's form, but acknowledged the need to find balance. City, who are 1st with 21 points from eight games, have conceded 20 goals and let in nine this season.
Manchester City have confirmed ticket details for their upcoming Carabao Cup tie. The club announced that tickets for the fourth round home match against Brighton on Wednesday 28 October start from £20 for adults and £1 for under-18s. City, who are 1st in the Premier League with 21 points from eight games, host the Seagulls at the Etihad Stadium at 19:30 UK time.
Manager Enzo Maresca said both goals conceded in the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa could have been avoided. He told reporters the mistakes were clear after Marc Guéhi's miscontrol led to the opener and Gianluigi Donnarumma let the second slip under him. City, who are 1st with 21 points from eight games, have conceded nine goals in their last four matches.
The club confirmed on Tuesday that Manchester City were seeking a club record eighth successive league win before the defeat at Aston Villa. City, who are 1st with 21 points from eight games, created a host of chances but lost 2-1. Nicolas Jackson scored twice for Villa, with Erling Haaland heading City level in the 52nd minute.
