Aston Villa end Man City’s perfect start as Jackson double seals 2-1 win; Arsenal draw level

Manchester City’s flawless start to the 2026-27 Premier League season came to an abrupt end on Saturday, 24 October, as Aston Villa beat Enzo Maresca’s side 2-1 at Villa Park. Nicolas Jackson scored both Villa goals, while Erling Haaland’s header was the only reply for the visitors.

The defeat, City’s first in the league this season, also snapped a seven-match winning run under Maresca and opened the door for Arsenal, who later beat Everton to draw level on points at the summit.

Jackson punishes City errors

Villa struck inside six minutes. Defender Marc Guehi took a heavy first touch, and Jackson pounced on the loose ball to fire past Gianluigi Donnarumma. City pressed for a response, and Iliman Ndiaye struck the post before the half-hour mark, but Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki kept the hosts in front.

City finally drew level seven minutes after the restart. Haaland rose to meet a cross from Ndiaye following a set-piece routine, taking his tally to 13 goals in 10 appearances this season, according to Al Jazeera. Suzuki then denied Josko Gvardiol to stop City from taking control.

Jackson restored Villa’s lead on the hour, turning in a cross from Ibrahim Mbaye with a shot that Donnarumma could not keep out. City threw men forward late on, and Ian Maatsen cleared a Haaland header off the line in the closing minutes to protect the win.

The result carried a personal edge for Jackson, who had been pushed down the pecking order by Maresca at Chelsea. Goal noted that the striker, now playing under Unai Emery, has scored six times in his last six games. Villa have now beaten City at home in four successive seasons and climbed to sixth in the table.

Spurs stun Chelsea, Arsenal close the gap

In the London derby at Stamford Bridge, Tottenham Hotspur won 2-0 against Chelsea. The first half ended goalless before Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders, making his first league start in place of the injured Emiliano Martinez, punched a corner into his own net in the 77th minute.

Chelsea’s evening got worse when Cole Palmer was sent off for a second booking, and Mathys Tel sealed the result with a long-range strike three minutes from time. According to VAVEL, it was Spurs’ first win at Stamford Bridge since April 2018 and lifted Roberto De Zerbi’s side out of the relegation zone. Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea had started the day fourth.

At the Emirates, Arsenal beat Everton 2-0. Ezri Konsa opened the scoring from a corner in the seventh minute, his first goal for the club, and Gabriel headed in a Ben White cross midway through the second half, shortly after appearing to hurt his knee in a fall. Everton’s Thierno Barry missed a clear chance just before half-time.

Mikel Arteta described it as a big win for his team, while David Moyes said Everton had made life difficult for the hosts without doing enough.

What it means for the table

Arsenal and City are now level on 21 points from eight matches, with City staying top only on goal difference. Everton have slipped to ninth on 10 points, according to NBC Sports.

City return to action against Brighton and Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup fourth round at the Etihad before meeting the same opponents in the league, giving Maresca a quick chance to respond.

Sources

• Al Jazeera: Man City beaten at Aston Villa as perfect Premier League start ends
• Yahoo Sports: Manchester City 1 Aston Villa 2: A common issue resurfaces for City at Villa Park
• Goal: Nicolas Jackson gets sweet revenge on Enzo Maresca as Aston Villa end Man City’s perfect start
• Sky Sports: Arsenal 2-0 Everton: Goals from Ezri Konsa and Gabriel move the champions level on points with leaders Man City
• NBC Sports: Arsenal 2-0 Everton live manager reaction
• VAVEL: Highlights and Goals Chelsea vs Tottenham (0-2) in 2026-27 Premier League
• beIN Sports: ALL GOALS: Chelsea vs Tottenham