Villa Loss Ends Manchester City's Perfect Start

Manchester City's run of seven straight Premier League wins to open the season ended with a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa on Saturday. Nicolas Jackson scored both goals for the hosts.

Jackson put Villa ahead in the sixth minute after a heavy touch from Marc Guehi. He cut inside Elliott Anderson and beat Gianluigi Donnarumma with a high shot. Erling Haaland headed in from Iliman Ndiaye's cross in the 52nd minute, his 13th goal in 10 appearances this season, to level the score. Jackson restored Villa's lead on the hour mark after Ibrahim Mbaye set him up behind the City defense.

Enzo Maresca had become the first manager to win his opening seven league games with a new club. City lost at Villa Park for the fourth straight season.

Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki stopped attempts from Ndiaye, Rayan Cherki and Abdukodir Khusanov in the first half, and Ndiaye hit the post. Josko Gvardiol struck the crossbar shortly after Haaland's goal. Suzuki denied City again after Villa went ahead.

Villa have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions and sit sixth in the table. Six players who started Villa's Europa League final victory last season left during the transfer window. Villa's summer signings include Jackson, Suzuki, Mbaye and Johan Manzambi.

Arsenal could draw level on points with City at the top of the table if it beats Everton at home later Saturday. City is appealing a guilty verdict on more than 100 charges covering financial rules breaches between 2009 and 2018, which could bring sanctions including relegation.

Villa's second goal came after Donnarumma failed to hold Mbaye's cross. City pushed for a second equalizer and did not score again.