Aston Villa climbed into sixth place in the Premier League table after beating Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park, ending the visitors’ perfect start to the season and opening the door for their rivals to close the gap at the top.

Villa moved to 11 points from eight matches, having recorded three wins, two draws and three defeats.

The victory lifted Unai Emery’s side into the top half of the standings, with their goal difference standing at minus three after scoring nine goals and conceding 12.

Manchester City remain top with 21 points from eight games, but their first league defeat of the campaign ended a run of seven consecutive victories.

Enzo Maresca’s side have scored 20 goals and conceded nine, leaving them with a goal difference of plus 11.

Arsenal are second on 18 points, three behind City, with a game in hand.

The Gunners have won six of their seven matches and were due to host Everton later on Sunday, giving them an opportunity to reduce the gap at the summit.

Brighton occupy third place with 16 points, while Chelsea sit fourth on 13.

Liverpool complete the top five with 12 points after collecting three wins, three draws and one defeat from their opening seven fixtures.

Villa’s victory was secured by Nicolas Jackson, who scored twice against the reigning champions.

He opened the scoring after capitalising on a defensive mistake before restoring Villa’s lead eight minutes after Erling Haaland had equalised for City.

Haaland’s second-half header had briefly brought the visitors back into the contest, but Jackson’s finish proved decisive as Villa held on for their first home league victory of the season.

The result also continued Villa’s impressive recent record against City, marking their fifth win in the teams’ last seven meetings.

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