Nicolas Jackson scored twice as Aston Villa ended Manchester City’s 100% winning start to the Premier League season. The striker’s brilliant brace made him the star of the show, earning a near-perfect player rating in a statement win for the home side.
Nicolas Jackson two goals Aston Villa Man City player ratings told the story of a match where Villa’s energy and cutting edge proved too much for the champions. Jackson fired the opener high into the roof of the net before stroking home a second, while Erling Haaland’s towering header briefly dragged City level.
Nicolas Jackson (Credits: BBC Sport)
Nicolas Jackson Earns a 9 After Stunning Brace
Jackson was described as brimming with confidence, and it showed. He took the opening goal brilliantly, firing high into the roof of the net, before calmly stroking in his second to seal a famous result. His rating of 9 was the highest on either side — a fitting reward for a match-winning display.
He was not the only Villa player to shine. Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made three important stops, including a brilliant fingertip save to deny Josko Gvardiol, earning a 7. Captain John McGinn also scored 7 after laying on the opening goal and creating more chances than anyone else on the pitch, while Boubacar Kamara anchored everything good about the home side’s performance.
Substitute Ibrahim Mbaye made an instant impact too, providing a low cross for Jackson to finish after coming on — another 7-rated contribution in a team display full of them.
Man City Ratings: Haaland Fights Back, Defence Struggles
For City, Erling Haaland was quiet in the first half but came alive in the second, rising highest for a towering header to draw his side level. He earned a 7, but it was not enough to rescue the champions’ perfect record.
Iliman Ndiaye was City’s liveliest player with an 8, forcing Suzuki into a fine save, clipping the post with another effort and providing the cross for Haaland’s equaliser. Elsewhere, though, City struggled: goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma scored 5 after poor kicking put his team-mates in trouble, while Marc Guehi endured a miserable outing with a 4, culpable for the opener and booked before being taken off at half-time.
The result ends City’s flawless start and hands Villa a result their fans will remember — built on Jackson’s finishing, McGinn’s creativity and a goalkeeper in inspired form.
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Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
