Jackson double ends Manchester City's unbeaten start at Villa Park

Manchester City's perfect start to the Premier League season came to an end as Aston Villa won 2-1 at Villa Park, with Nicolas Jackson scoring both goals for Unai Emery's side.

City had taken maximum points from their opening seven fixtures, but Enzo Maresca's team were beaten for the first time in the league as Villa continued the momentum of their rebuild under Emery.

Jackson, signed from Chelsea as part of Villa's summer overhaul, struck inside the first six minutes after capitalising on an error from Marc Guehi, cutting inside on his right foot before finishing into the roof of Gianluigi Donnarumma's net. Yahoo Sports reported that John McGinn combined with Jackson to exploit the mistake.

City had chances to respond before the break, with Iliman Ndiaye forcing a save from Zion Suzuki and Rayan Cherki also denied by the Villa goalkeeper, according to Yahoo Sports.

Maresca made two changes at half-time, sending on Rico Lewis and Phil Foden for Guehi and Cherki. Foden had scored a Champions League hat-trick in midweek but began this game among the substitutes.

City found an equaliser early in the second half when Erling Haaland headed in Ndiaye's cross, the striker's seventh goal in as many Premier League appearances, according to Independent Sport.

Villa restored their lead on the hour mark when Jackson converted from a low cross supplied by substitute Ibrahim Mbaye, his shot squirming beneath Donnarumma to seal the win. The forward has now scored four goals in his last four Premier League appearances for the club.

Villa made four changes from their Champions League victory over Viking in midweek, with the introduction of Johan Manzambi, who Yahoo Sports described as in fine recent form, the most notable selection call. City's main change was the recall of Haaland to the starting line-up after injury concerns and a rest against AEK Athens on Tuesday.

The result continues an improving run for Villa, who failed to win any of their opening four Premier League matches this season but have now taken seven points from their last four league outings.

City remain top of the table despite the defeat, though champions Arsenal could draw level on points with them after eight games were they to beat Everton at the Emirates later on Friday.

The loss came in City's second Premier League away fixture since the club were found guilty of almost all of the charges brought against them by the Premier League relating to breaches of financial rules last month. City have appealed the independent commission's ruling.

Villa next look to build on a result that underlines Emery's progress in reshaping the squad, while Maresca will want a swift response as City aim to reassert themselves at the top of the division.