Key Takeaways
- Aston Villa beat Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park on Oct 24, 2026, ending Enzo Maresca’s 100% league record this season — his first defeat.
- Nicolas Jackson scored both goals (6th and 60th minute) — his 7th goal of the season — after a Marc Guehi error and an assist from Ibrahim Mbaye, with a controversial thumbs-down and throat-slitting celebration.
- The result was Unai Emery’s 4th anniversary as Villa boss and his 4th straight home win over Man City, with Emery outsmarting City despite Haaland’s 13th goal in 11 games.
Unai Emery picked the perfect way to celebrate four years in charge of Aston Villa — a tactical masterclass that ended Manchester City’s unbeaten start.
On October 24, 2022, Emery arrived in Birmingham after a difficult spell at Arsenal that had dented his reputation in England. Four years later, on October 24, 2026, he secured his fourth consecutive victory over Manchester City at Villa Park, as Villa ran out 2-1 winners and handed Enzo Maresca his first Premier League defeat of the season.
The star was Nicolas Jackson. The 25-year-old Senegalese striker scored a magnificent brace — his seventh goal of the season — proving why Emery was so keen to sign him for £65 million in the summer while being willing to let Ollie Watkins leave.
According to The Sun, Villa’s opener came in the 6th minute after a gift from City. Marc Guehi, the only player who did not take a knee for the pre-match anti-racism initiative, had a poor game and his heavy first touch was punished. Villa captain John McGinn — always alert — nicked possession off the England centre-back and fed Jackson, who beat Gianluigi Donnarumma with pace and precision. Jackson ran to the fans with a thumbs-down motion like a Roman Emperor in the Colosseum, then made a throat-slitting gesture.
Emery punched the air. Villa Park erupted. It was the first time Villa had led at home this season.
Villa’s Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who replaced Emiliano Martinez after his move to Chelsea, was crucial in the first half. He palmed away a strong strike from Iliman Ndiaye that flew through a crowd, saved a Rayan Cherki effort from 10 yards, and was saved by the post when Ndiaye’s fizzing left-footed drive on 29 minutes bounced off the frame. Referee Peter Bankes also had three big calls in quick succession — two penalty shouts waved away and a yellow card for Guehi when he fouled Jackson outside the box, deciding it was not a last-man foul. Maresca lost faith in Guehi and hooked him at half-time to avoid a second yellow.
In the second half, Erling Haaland — anonymous in the first half — reminded everyone why he is the best striker in England. The Norwegian, even without his long locks, outjumped Victor Lindelof to head home Ndiaye’s perfect cross from a short free-kick routine in the 52nd minute. It was his 13th goal in 11 appearances, scoring in nine consecutive matches — relentless. Inflated bananas were raised by City fans in the away end to celebrate.
It could have sparked a City comeback, but Jackson had other ideas. On 60 minutes, newly introduced substitute Ibrahim Mbaye cut the ball back from the right, and Jackson swept home from 12 yards. Thumbs-down celebration again. Donnarumma, despite his stature, should have done better for the second goal. It also meant City have kept only five clean sheets in 13 matches this campaign.
City huffed and puffed late on, with Ian Maatsen heading a Haaland header off the line on 89 minutes, but Villa held on. The Holte End chanted “That’s why you’re going down” — referencing City’s ongoing legal ramifications from their guilty verdict.
Why is Jackson trending? Because this was his redemption arc. From Chelsea scapegoat to Villa’s main man, his brace gave Villa their first home win of the season. The Sun noted: “You would hope Emery will permit himself a glass or two this evening for this latest masterstroke.” Another Arsenal link — Arsene Wenger will enjoy that all top-flight clubs have now been beaten at least once, so there will be no repeat of Arsenal’s 2003-04 Invincibles season.
For Nigerian fans, Jackson — Senegalese but loved across Africa — represents the African striker doing it against the big boys. His celebration, his pace, his clinical finishing vs Donnarumma, shows why Emery trusted him.
With this victory, Villa move into top-four contention, Maresca faces his first crisis, and Jackson set eyes on AFCON qualifiers with confidence. For Xtrend readers, the official Man of the Match is Nicolas Jackson — 2 goals, 3 shots, match-winner.
