We will know soon enough whether this defeat has broken the spell for Manchester City.
Until now, Enzo Maresca’s team had shown no signs of being affected by the chaos engulfing the club as they reeled off seven straight Premier League wins.
But it will be fascinating to see how they react to Aston Villa’s victory, which they earned thanks to goals in each from Nicolas Jackson, either side of Erling Haaland’s equaliser.
It’s easy enough to block out the noise when you win every game. Easy to forget your club’s ongoing battle with the Premier League after they were found guilty of breaking financial rules between 2009 and 2018. City have appealed.
These players and coaches would not be human, though, if they have been able to avoid worrying about the future. City’s next fixture, at home to the impressive Brighton, may tell us much about what is to come.
Nicolas Jackson scored twice to power Aston Villa to victory and inflict Manchester City’s first Premier League defeat of the season
City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was at fault for Jackson’s winner after letting the ball slip up his body
City were caught cold by the speed of Villa’s start. The home side were awarded a corner when City delayed a goal-kick too long and in the sixth minute they seized the lead.
Marc Guehi’s poor control allowed John McGinn to find Jackson, who was allowed to cut in unchallenged from the left and fire into the roof of the net.
Now the Holte End was in full voice, telling City exactly what they thought of their ongoing
The Norwegian rose brilliantly in the box to head home past Zion Suzuki
Erling Haaland scored City’s equaliser early in the second-half
Enzo Maresca’s team did not wilt. They took control quickly and Iliman Ndiaye and Jeremy Doku were a constant threat on the flanks.
Ndiaye forced a fine save from Zion Suzuki and the Villa goalkeeper produced an even better one from Rayan Cherki. Ndiaye would later hit the post and Doku continued to torment Matty Cash.
Haaland touched the ball only eight times in the first half but when it counted, he made his mark. Ndiaye glided past Johan Manzambi and Haaland climbed the head home at the far post soon after the break.
Jackson capped off a brilliant start to the game for the hosts by putting them ahead
Jackson has now scored seven goals this season since moving from Chelsea in the summer
Back came Villa. Less than a minute after coming on as substitute, Ibrahim Mbaye raced on to Jackson’s pass and found his Senegal team-mate 20 yards from goal.
Jackson’s aim was true and Donnarumma allowed the shot to slip through his grasp and into the net. Moments earlier, Suzuki had done brilliantly again to tip Josko Gvardiol’s effort on to the bar.
More to follow.
