Nicolas Jackson's two goals give Aston Villa a Premier League win over Manchester City on October 24, 2026

Aston Villa beat Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park on Saturday, with Villa the winner after leading 1-0 at half-time. Nicolas Jackson scored both Villa goals, making him the defining figure in a result that ended City’s perfect league start.

Jackson strikes at key moments

Jackson opened the scoring in the 6th minute, finishing the move assisted by John McGinn to make it 1-0. Manchester City levelled in the 52nd minute through Erling Haaland, whose goal was assisted by Iliman Ndiaye and made the score 1-1.

Villa restored their lead in the 60th minute. Jackson scored again, with Ibrahim Mbaye providing the assist for the last goal and the 2-1 final score. Jackson was substituted in the 82nd minute after recording two goals and two shots on target. His 8.9 rating was the highest among the listed performers.

City had the territorial edge

Manchester City controlled 63% of possession and attempted 15 shots to Aston Villa’s eight, including seven shots on target compared with Villa’s two. City also had the higher expected-goals figure, 1.53 to Villa’s 0.6. Villa’s scoreline therefore came against the statistical balance of play, with goalkeeper Z. Suzuki making six saves.

The match included four yellow cards for each team. Marc Guehi and Rayan Cherki were booked before half-time, while Johan Manzambi and Matty Cash received Villa’s early second-half cautions. Neither side received a red card.

The table gap narrows

Manchester City went into the game with 21 points from seven matches, 13 points ahead of Villa’s eight. After the result, Villa have 11 points from eight matches and are provisionally sixth, while City remain provisionally first on 21 points. The gap is now 10 points. The result also changed City’s record to seven wins and one loss, while Villa moved to three wins, two draws and three losses.