Aston Villa produced one of the Premier League weekend's biggest upsets, beating Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park on Saturday to hand Enzo Maresca's side their first league defeat of the 2026-27 season. Striker Nicolas Jackson was the hero, scoring in just the sixth minute after a Marc Guéhi defensive error let John McGinn slip the Senegalese forward through on goal. Erling Haaland equalised with a header on 52 minutes, but Jackson struck again in the 60th to seal a win that sent Villa into the top six.

Maresca's City had arrived in Birmingham chasing a club-record eighth consecutive league victory. For the visitors, it was a painful reminder that their status as title favourites carries real vulnerabilities, especially at Villa Park — where Unai Emery's side has now beaten them in four consecutive seasons. Despite dominating possession after going behind for the second time, City could not find a way past Aston Villa goalkeeper Suzuki, who made a string of important saves as the hosts absorbed mounting pressure.

The result tightens the top of the table considerably. City remain in first place on 21 points, but Arsenal — level on points before Sunday's fixtures — could draw level or overtake them. For Emery, the victory extended a remarkable run: Villa have beaten City five times in their last seven Premier League meetings, a record that would have seemed fantasy just three years ago. El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, also scheduled for Sunday evening, ensures another blockbuster weekend for European football.