Jackson Opens the Scoring in the Sixth Minute

Aston Villa started boldly. Hosting Manchester City in Premier League matchday 8 of 2026/2027 at Villa Park on Saturday (24/10/2026), evening WIB, the hosts took the lead in the 6th minute: John McGinn pounced on a Marc Guehi error and fed Nicolas Jackson, who beat Gianluigi Donnarumma to make it 1-0.

City pushed for an equaliser but could not break through before half-time. Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki was alert between the posts, and the 1-0 lead stood at the break.

Haaland Levels, Jackson Answers Quickly

Manchester City levelled seven minutes after the restart. In the 52nd minute, Erling Haaland headed home from Iliman Ndiaye's delivery to make it 1-1.

City's lead lasted only eight minutes. In the 60th minute, substitute Ibrahim Mbaye delivered a fine cross that Nicolas Jackson converted for his second goal of the game. That strike proved to be the winner.

Jackson's second goal came from a substitution that worked perfectly. Ibrahim Mbaye, introduced in the 60th minute, immediately delivered a cross from the flank, and Jackson met it before Donnarumma could react. Villa celebrated the goal as proof of Unai Emery's squad depth, with his tactical change paying off at a crucial moment.

City's First League Defeat of the Season

The 2-1 scoreline held until the final whistle. The result was Manchester City's first league defeat of the season and ended their run of seven straight wins at the start of the campaign.

For Aston Villa, beating the league leaders extended their positive run and lifted Unai Emery's side to sixth in the provisional table. Jackson's two goals were the difference in a tight contest at Villa Park.

Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki also deserves credit. According to the live match record, Suzuki saved six of the seven shots on target he faced, including several City chances in the second half. Before this match, Villa were unbeaten in six games in all competitions, and the win over City extended that positive run in front of their own fans.