Aston Villa punish Manchester City errors to end winning run

Manchester City suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season as defensive mistakes from Marc Guehi and Gianluigi Donnarumma helped Aston Villa secure a 2-1 victory at Villa Park on Saturday.

The result ended Manchester City’s run of seven successive league wins and left them on 21 points after eight matches. Aston Villa moved up to sixth on 11 points, strengthening their position in the race for European qualification.

City’s defensive problems were exposed as early as the sixth minute when Guehi lost possession deep in his own half. Aston Villa’s pressure forced the mistake, with John McGinn winning the ball before feeding Nicolas Jackson.

The Senegalese forward made the most of the opening, going past Anderson before striking powerfully into the roof of the net to give the hosts an early lead.

Manchester City improved after the interval and drew level in the 52nd minute through Erling Haaland.

A short free-kick created the opportunity on the right, where Ndaye again got beyond Maatsen and delivered a precise cross into the penalty area. Haaland attacked the ball from eight yards and headed firmly into the net.

The goal extended Haaland’s scoring run to seven consecutive Premier League matches this season and appeared to give Manchester City the momentum needed to complete a comeback.

Aston Villa, however, restored their advantage just eight minutes later after another lapse in the visitors’ defence.

A long ball sent Mbaye into a duel with Josko Gvardiol as he moved towards the penalty area. Mbaye then delivered a cross which Jackson met with a first-time effort towards goal.

The attempt appeared to be within Donnarumma’s reach, but the Italy goalkeeper was unable to hold it. The ball slipped underneath him and crossed the line to put Aston Villa back in front in the 60th minute.

Manchester City were unable to find another equaliser, and their perfect start was replaced by a first league loss of the campaign.

The defeat came not because of a lack of attacking threat, but because individual errors at both ends of the match gave Aston Villa the decisive opportunities. Guehi’s early mistake allowed Jackson to establish the hosts’ lead, while Donnarumma’s handling error gave the same player his second goal after Haaland had brought City level.

Aston Villa’s victory brought an end to Manchester City’s winning sequence and highlighted the cost of losing concentration in defence, despite Haaland extending his own scoring record.