Arsenal have the opportunity in a few minutes to catch up with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table. – They host Everton at the Emirates and at the time of writing they are leading 1 – 0.
Nicolas Jackson’s two goals for Aston Villa put an end to Manchester City’s 100% start to the Premier League season at home at Villa Park. In other words, it didn’t help with Erling Haaland’s one.
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City had taken full advantage in their first seven league games, but Enzo Maresca’s side suffered their first defeat against a Villa side with an exceptionally good record against them in recent times.
The win was Villa’s fifth in their last seven meetings against City, their fourth straight home win against them at Villa Park – and came four years to the day after Unai Emery was appointed as Villa boss.
Villa captain John McGinn intercepted a bad touch from City defender Marc Guéhi and played forward Jackson, who turned inside past Elliot Anderson and put the ball high into the net behind Gianluigi Donnarumma for the home side’s lead.
Iliman Ndiaye hit the post as the away side pressed for an equaliser, which eventually came early in the second half when Erling Haaland rose highest and headed in Ndiaye’s cross from the right.
But the balance only lasted eight minutes. Jackson met substitute Ibrahim Mbaye’s low cross with a direct shot that went under Donnarumma’s left hand.
Another header from Haaland on his way to goal was cleared to safety by Ian Maatsen, thus securing Villa’s first home win in the league this season.
City’s lead at the top of the Premier League remains at three points, with second-placed Arsenal hosting Everton at 15:00 BST, while Villa have climbed into the top half of the table.
Aston Villa beat Manchester City at home for the fourth season in a row. Manchester City suffered their first defeat of the season and their first defeat in the league under Enzo Maresca.
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Lucy Ward – Former Leeds striker on TNT Sports “A joy to watch. Villa just turned up the tempo when they needed it – man against man they were brilliant. City simply didn’t have enough and Villa were absolutely outstanding.”
