The key facts

  • Aston Villa — Manchester City 2:1: a brace from Jackson, a goal from Haaland
  • Abdukodir Khusanov played the match in Manchester City's starting lineup
  • Villa have gained momentum after a poor start: three wins and a draw in their last four matches

Villa ended City's unbeaten run

On Saturday, matchday 8 of the English Premier League continued, with Aston Villa beating Manchester City 2:1 at home, Kun.uz reports. The goals were scored by Nicolas Jackson (6th and 60th minutes) and Erling Haaland (52nd).

Course of the match

The visitors opened the scoring as early as the 6th minute: Ilkay Gündogan... rather, according to the source, Ezri Konsa made a mistake near his own penalty area, McGinn passed to Jackson, who beat Anderson with a feint and struck an unstoppable shot. However, the early goal guaranteed nothing: in the first half Ndiaye constantly troubled the home side's defence, while Abdukodir Khusanov, back in the starting lineup, regularly pushed forward— yet Suzuki and the goal frame preserved Villa's narrow lead.

Second half and the outcome

Early in the second half, Haaland won an aerial duel in the centre of the box after a ball played in from the flank and equalised. The visitors could have gone ahead in the next attack, but Suzuki denied Gvardiol from close range, and then Doku failed to convert his chance. On the 60th minute the initiative returned to Villa: Jackson laid the ball off to Mbaye, who had joined the attack down the right flank, received the return pass in the box and scored through the defender's legs — Gianluigi Donnarumma could not save it.

Context

According to Kun.uz, Unai Emery's side began last season extremely poorly due to financial difficulties that prevented the club from strengthening in the summer, but ultimately won the Europa League and qualified for the Champions League. This summer Watkins, Rogers, Tielemans, Martinez and Konsa left the team, and the start was again weak — only one draw in the first four matchdays. However, after refreshing the squad, Villa gained momentum: in their last four matches they have three wins and a draw. Jackson, who has become the team's top scorer under Emery, was the hero of Saturday's match.

Significance of the result

The defeat cost Manchester City points for the first time this season and allowed Arsenal to catch up with them in the Premier League table, as the publication's headline suggests. For fans in Uzbekistan, the match was notable for the participation of Abdukodir Khusanov, who not only defended but also took an active part in his team's attacking play. The practical takeaway: Villa confirmed they have come out of their crisis, and the battle at the top of the table has intensified.