Manchester City suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season on Saturday, losing 2-1 to Aston Villa at Villa Park. The result ended the defending champions' flawless start to the campaign and allowed Arsenal to join them at the top of the table.
Nicolas Jackson scored twice for Aston Villa, with his goals coming either side of a header from Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker, who had been in excellent form, failed to convert his chances in the match. Manchester City's defeat came after a tense and controversial encounter, with a clash between the teams' benches and fans chanting derogatory remarks.
Manager Enzo Maresca explained the decision to substitute Rayan Cherki and Marc Guehi at halftime. The move came amid a difficult afternoon for City, who struggled to control the game. The loss leaves City three points behind Arsenal, who secured a 2-0 victory over Everton.
This marks the first time in the 2026/27 Premier League season that Manchester City have been beaten. The result also sees Aston Villa move up the table, while Everton remain in 10th place. The defeat is a significant setback for City, who had entered the season with high expectations.
