Aston Villa stun Manchester City at Villa Park again, handing them their first Premier League defeat

Villa Park remains a nightmare for Manchester City. Aston Villa won 2-1 to record a fourth consecutive home victory over the Citizens, who suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season. City stay top, but Villa now have five wins in the last seven league meetings between the sides and climbed from 12th to 6th.

The hosts went ahead in the opening minutes after a costly error by Marc Guéhi, who failed to control a pass from Rúben Dias. John McGinn immediately found Nicolas Jackson, and the striker fired in under the crossbar. City took control, but Zion Suzuki made several important saves, and an Iliman Ndiaye effort hit the post.

Maresca made a double change at half-time, bringing on Phil Foden, scorer of a hat-trick on Tuesday. In the 52nd minute, Erling Haaland, who started after being rested against AEK, headed in the equalizer from Ndiaye’s cross. Shortly afterward, Suzuki and the crossbar combined to deny Joško Gvardiol.

Villa struck again, however. After a quick attack, Ibrahim Mbaye played the ball back to Jackson, who shot on the move and, helped by a shaky intervention from Gianluigi Donnarumma, made it 2-1. City failed to build any real pressure in the closing stages, while the hosts’ efficiency was striking: two shots on target, two goals.