Aston Villa pulled off their first home victory of the campaign to deal Manchester City a blow in the title race

It was an afternoon to remember for the Villains, who maintained a strong record at Villa Park against Manchester City – the Premier League ‘Villains’.

Maybe the hostile atmosphere got to Manchester City, as after just six minutes John McGinn punished Marc Guehi’s miscontrol from a crossfield pass by Enzo Fernandes, releasing Nicholas Jackson who scored early in the affair to put City on the backfoot. Iliman Ndiaye hit the post as City chased an equaliser, which eventually came after Erling Haaland leapt the highest to head home from Ndiaye’s cross.

But the visitors were not level for long, after substitute Ibrahim Mbaye’s cross was finished by Jackson, in an effort that really should have been stopped by City Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donarumma. Haaland was denied a second goal of the afternoon by an excellent defensive header from Ian Maatsen, which was enough to secure the three points for the hosts.

What does it mean for the clubs given the rest of the league results?

What does it mean for the clubs given the rest of the league results? For Arsenal, this result gave them the chance to go level with the league leaders this weekend and they duly obliged. It was not the most exhilarating performance, but Arsenal demonstrated their winning prowess again. Many doubts were held after the decision to let Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus whilst only bringing in Christos Tzolis, and those doubts were reiterated again following the news that Bukayo Saka would face at least six weeks on the sidelines after going off injured against Bayern Munich midweek.

With that news, and Manchester City awaiting punishment following their guilty verdict from the Premier League (pending the result of City’s appeal), this weekend may have proved pivotal for Liverpool. They won out after an impressive performance against Brighton, taking them six points off the top of the league, with a home fixture against the Champions next weekend still to come. Arsenal are still the most consistent side in the Premier League, and with City’s uncertain future they are undoubtedly the favourites to retain the title. But Liverpool will certainly start to believe that they are contenders if they win on Sunday.

Outside of the title race, Aston Villa took a massive step in the right direction as they aim to secure Champions League football once again

Outside of the title race, Aston Villa took a massive step in the right direction as they aim to secure Champions League football once again. Spurs’ surprise victory at Stamford Bridge has left them just two points off fifth, even after another slow start to a Premier League campaign.

Nicholas Jackson was the hero against City and has shown some seriously impressive form following his return to the Premier League. His big money transfer to Villa raised many questions but thus far it has proved to be a great piece of business, with those at Villa Park hoping that he could kick on even more and show everyone that he is one of the league’s top strikers. At the other end of the park, Zion Suzuki is proving to be an excellent signing as well.