Aston Villa Halts Manchester City's Seven-Game Win Streak

Manchester City entered Villa Park with a perfect record in the 2026-27 Premier League season, having won their first seven matches under manager Enzo Maresca. That unblemished run ended on Saturday with a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.

Nicolas Jackson scored both goals for the hosts. The first came in the sixth minute after a heavy touch from Marc Guehi allowed Jackson to cut inside Elliott Anderson and blast a high shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma. Jackson added the second in the 60th minute, finishing low after a cross from Ibrahim Mbaye.

Manchester City fought back in the second half. Erling Haaland headed in a cross from Iliman Ndiaye in the 52nd minute to pull the hosts level. That goal marked Haaland's 13th strike in just 10 appearances this season. Josko Gvardiol hit the crossbar shortly after the equalizer, but City could not find another way past Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

Suzuki made key saves to keep the match close during the first half. He denied Rayan Cherki, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Ndiaye, who also struck the post. Villa manager Unai Emery has rebuilt his squad significantly over the past four years, transforming the club into a Champions League contender despite losing six starting players from last season's Europa League win.

The new arrivals of Jackson, Suzuki, Mbaye, and Johan Manzambi have provided an immediate boost. Villa now sits in sixth place with six wins in their last seven games across all competitions. The result allows Arsenal to match Manchester City on points at the top of the table if they defeat Everton later on Saturday.

The defeat marks Manchester City's fourth consecutive loss at Villa Park. The 10-time English champions are currently appealing a guilty verdict on over 100 charges related to financial rules from 2009 to 2018. Potential sanctions include relegation, yet the team had maintained its winning form until these two defensive errors at Villa Park proved costly.