Jackson scores twice as Aston Villa halt Manchester City's winning run — player ratings

Nicolas Jackson scored twice as Aston Villa ended Manchester City's 100% winning start in the Premier League on 24 October 2026, and BBC Sport has published its player ratings along with the user averages for the fixture.

BBC Sport's report lists full player ratings for both sides and notes how the scores were compiled; after the opportunity to rate players closed, each displayed score represents the average from all BBC Sport user submissions. The match coverage highlights Jackson's two goals and details key moments that shaped the game, including John McGinn's intervention to set up Villa's opening strike and Erling Haaland's second-half header that drew City level.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki was given a 7 for his aerial presence, accurate distribution and three important stops that denied Iliman Ndiaye, Rayan Cherki and Josko Gvardiol, the last saved with a fingertip. Full-back Matty Cash earned a 7 after a combative display against Jeremy Doku and finishing with more tackles than any other player. Centre-backs Victor Lindelof and Pau Torres received 6s, with Lindelof noted for throwing his body at attempts and being outmuscled for Haaland's goal while Torres was described as a calming presence.

Left-back Ian Maatsen was rated 6; he missed an early volley and later produced a vital header to deny Erling Haaland's goalbound attempt. Midfielder John McGinn was awarded a 7 for picking off Marc Guehi to provide Villa's opening goal and for creating more chances than anyone else on the pitch. Boubacar Kamara also scored a 7 for his role in cutting out danger from midfield, while Joao Gomes received a 6 for keeping Villa ticking and making three interceptions.

Young Brazilian Alysson was rated 7, with the report referencing his status as a 20-year-old who impressed against Viking in the Champions League and earned another start through an eye-catching performance. Switzerland international Johan Manzambi earned a 6 and was said to have shown sparks of talent and might have had a first-half penalty. Nicolas Jackson was the stand-out with a 9; the piece notes he took the opening goal by firing high into the roof of the net and then stroked in a second.

Villa's substitutes who received ratings included Ibrahim Mbaye (on 58 for Alysson) 7, credited with an instant impact and providing the low cross Jackson finished; Emiliano Buendia (on 66 for Manzambi) 6; Ross Barkley (on 66 for McGinn) 6; Brian Madjo (on 82 for Jackson) 6; and Leon Goretzka (on 82 for Gomes) 6. Players not used on the Villa bench were Marco Bizot, Tyrone Mings, Lamare Bogarde and George Hemmings.

For Manchester City, Gianluigi Donnarumma was rated 5 amid criticism for conceding an early corner after taking too long over a goal-kick, poor kicking that put teammates in trouble and for a failure to do better for Villa's second goal. Right-back Abdukodir Khusanov received a 6 and was described as shaky before being moved into central defence for the second half. Ruben Dias was given a 5, noted for being rattled by Jackson but making a good block to deny Alysson.

Marc Guehi was awarded a 4; the report described him as culpable for both of Ipswich's goals last weekend, making another error that led to Villa's opener and being booked for hauling down Jackson on the edge of the box before being substituted at half-time. Josko Gvardiol received a 5 after a difficult evening against Alysson but coming close to scoring. Midfielders Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez both received 6s, with Anderson shown a yellow for a mistimed challenge on Gomes and Fernandez described as always available but losing the midfield battle.

Iliman Ndiaye was City's highest-rated player on 8, described as the liveliest performer who forced Suzuki into a save, clipped the post and provided the cross for Haaland's equaliser. Jeremy Doku was given a 6 for creating openings but being often wasteful, while Rayan Cherki was rated 5 and noted as being crowded out, booked for a tug on Manzambi and substituted at half-time. Erling Haaland received a 7 for a quiet first half followed by a towering header to draw his side level.

City substitutes included Phil Foden (on 46 for Cherki) 6, whose impact was described as limited after his Champions League hat-trick on Tuesday; Rico Lewis (on 46 for Guehi) 6; and Ryan McAidoo (on 69 for Ndiaye) 6. Unused Manchester City substitutes listed were Geronimo Rulli, Mateo Kovacic, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Vitor Reis, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Nico O'Reilly.