At Villa Park, Aston Villa brought Manchester City’s perfect Premier League opening to a halt with a 2-1 win that changed the tone of both clubs’ autumn. Nicolas Jackson scored twice for Unai Emery’s side, while Erling Haaland replied for City in the eighth round.
City had arrived in Birmingham with seven league victories from seven and 21 points on the board under Enzo Maresca. The defeat is their first of the campaign, although they remain top of the table.
Quick facts
- Aston Villa defeated Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park in the eighth Premier League round.
- Nicolas Jackson scored both Villa goals; Erling Haaland netted for City.
- Manchester City’s seven-match winning start ended, but they stay first on 21 points.
- Villa now have 11 points after taking three wins from their last four league fixtures.
- João Gomes also featured at full-back in Villa’s 3-1 Champions League win over Viking in midweek.
For Villa, the result confirmed a recovery after a slow start. Emery’s team had gone without a victory across the opening four rounds, but have since won three of four league matches to reach 11 points.
Brazilian midfielder João Gomes, signed in July, described the occasion as a special success after Villa faced the league leaders without caution. He said the squad had carried out the work prepared during the previous days and praised the contribution from staff, players and supporters.
“We knew how difficult it would be against the team at the top, but from the first minute we played with our heads up and without fear,” Gomes said. “The atmosphere was fantastic, and the fans were our 12th player.”
The former Flamengo and Wolverhampton player has been used in more than one role since arriving in Birmingham. Although naturally a defensive midfielder, he played at full-back in Wednesday’s 3-1 home victory over Viking in the third round of the Champions League league phase.
Gomes said he has settled well at Villa and is ready to fill whichever position is required. “My priority is to help Aston Villa,” he said, pointing to the team’s positive run across both domestic and European competition.
Villa have won all three of their Champions League league-phase matches so far. Their next task is to sustain that European momentum while continuing to repair the ground lost during an uneven beginning to the Premier League season.
