Aston Villa

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa lost their first two league games of the season but recovered well, taking 11 points from their subsequent six Premier League matches.

The turnover of players during the summer months has been well documented and, on recent evidence, their reshaped squad has the potential to continue the club's success under Emery.

Four of their summer arrivals started the win against Manchester City and all played an important role - most notably Nicolas Jackson, who has netted seven times in 11 games in league and cup for Villa.

The former Chelsea forward took his two goals extremely well. They were Villa's only two shots on target in the game but he, along with Johan Manzambi, posed a threat on the break during spells of City pressure.

One counter-attack just before half-time led to Marc Guehi pulling Jackson down on the edge of the box and receiving a yellow card.

At the other end, Joao Gomes broke up play on several occasions in tandem with fellow midfielder Boubacar Kamara.

Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made first-half saves from Iliman Ndiaye, Rayan Cherki and Abdukodir Khusanov, plus another crucial stop from Josko Gvardiol just after Erling Haaland's equaliser, which proved pivotal.

Soon after, Ibrahim Mbaye - another of Villa's recent arrivals - made an immediate impact from the bench with the cross for Jackson to tuck home what proved to be the home side's winner.

Unai Emery spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Aston Villa's victory against Manchester City: "What a match. This is the highest level in football. Today was a good test for us. We needed the defence, keeper, sacrificing defensively a lot of the time. We are getting better. Fantastic game today and this is the level we want to achieve and keep. Very happy but still work to do. We want to use days like today as an example of how we want to be."

On Man City: "They are performing fantastic. Top of the league and I can speak about five teams who are the best in the world and City are one of them clearly. How we faced them is fantastic and a good test. Players are improving, structuring fantastic. Now rest because we lost some energy today - myself as well - but we keep going in this way.

"We feel strong with individual strengths but mostly within our structure."

On Nicolas Jackson: "I knew him at Villarreal and he started playing the level he is now. When he came here to England he had experience so I know his capacity to exploit his quality and I know his humility. The mentality is coming through - how focussed he is in life and professional career."

Nicolas Jackson, speaking to TNT Sports: "It was incredible, we got the win which is the most important thing. Man City are a strong team, the league leaders. Hopefully now we forget about this one and focus on the next one."

On causing havoc for the Man City defenders: "I'm happy to do it every time, I will continue working for the team and the coach and that's most important for me."

On settling quickly at Aston Villa having worked with Unai Emery before: "It's not easy but easier because of the coach. We have an incredible dressing room with the players and the coach."

Did you know?

• Aston Villa are the first side win three successive Premier League games against Manchester City since Liverpool in December 2016 (run of four).

• Ibrahim Mbaye (18y 273d) is the third-youngest Aston Villa player to either score or assist in a Premier League game after Gareth Barry v Derby County in March 1999 (18y 15d) and Carney Chukwuemeka v Norwich City in December 2021 (18y 55d).

Starting XI

Zion Suzuki: Good in the air, decent distribution and made three important stops to deny Iliman Ndiaye, Rayan Cherki and Josko Gvardiol with a brilliant, fingertip save. 7

Matty Cash: Battled all game with Jeremy Doku and though he was booked for a push on the Belgian, he managed more tackles than any other player. 7

Victor Lindelof: Threw his body at everything that came his way but outmuscled for Haaland's goal. 6

Pau Torres: Calming presence at the back without being too ruffled. 6

Ian Maatsen: Could have scored early on but blazed a volley over. Vital header away to deny Erling Haaland's goalbound header late on. 6

John McGinn: Picked off Marc Guehi to lay on the opening goal and created more chances than anyone else on the pitch. 7

Boubacar Kamara: At the heart of everything good from the home side, sniffing out the danger. 7

Joao Gomes: Mucked in alongside Kamara by keeping the ball ticking and contributing three interceptions. 6

Alysson: The 20-year-old Brazilian impressed against Viking in the Champions League and showed why he was given a start again with another eye-catching performance. 7

Johan Manzambi: Switzerland international displayed sparks of his undoubted talent and could have had a penalty in the first half. 6

Nicolas Jackson: Brimming with confidence. Took the opening goal brilliantly, firing high into the roof of the net, before stroking in a second. 9

Substitutes

Ibrahim Mbaye (on 58, Alysson) Instant impact after coming on, providing a low cross for Jackson to finish. 7

Emiliano Buendia (on 66, Manzambi) 6

Ross Barkley (on 66, McGinn) 6

Brian Madjo (on 82, Jackson) 6

Leon Goretzka (on 82, Gomes) 6

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Aston Villa's performance

What did you make of Manchester City's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are four games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Manchester City (12:30)

• Arsenal v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Coventry City v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Chelsea v Tottenham (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

How to follow the Premier League weekend across the BBC

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Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

League leaders Manchester City could become only the eighth English side to win their opening eight top-flight games in a season, and the first since Liverpool did so in 2019.

However, they have lost their past three Premier League visits to Aston Villa, who also spoiled Pep Guardiola's City farewell with victory at the Etihad in May.

Emery's happy anniversary?

"Here's to you, Unai Emery, the Villa loves you more than you will know." The popular terrace chant will be especially heartfelt on Saturday as it marks the four-year anniversary of the Spanish manager's transformative appointment.

Emery is feted at Villa Park, and for good reason. Aston Villa were 16th, one point above the relegation zone, when he officially took charge a week after his unveiling. They rallied to qualify for Europe that season, have twice come fourth in his three full campaigns and won 115 of 208 games – including last season's Europa League final to end a 30-year wait for a major trophy.

The serenading of Emery by Villa's supporters will also reflect their desperation for him to stay amid renewed links with Manchester United this week. For his part, Emery has been invigorated by the challenge of rebuilding Villa's team this season, and also recognises that the level of control he enjoys at the club is unlikely to be granted elsewhere.

Nonetheless, it's clear why a fallen giant like United might be interested; Emery's 51.4% Premier League win percentage over the past four years puts him in elite company.

Emery's immediate concern will be to try to mastermind Villa's first home league win of the season. Despite impressive back-to-back Champions League triumphs at Villa Park, Emery's side have only earned one point from their opening three top-flight fixtures at the ground.

City sitting pretty

The only two previous teams to win their first seven games of the season since the formation of the Premier League both went on to take the title: Chelsea in 2005-06 and Liverpool in 2019-20.

Regardless of whether any success Manchester City enjoy this season ultimately counts for anything, their form certainly hasn't been adversely affected by the club being found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules.

They are one of only six top-flight teams in Uefa's 55 member nations with a perfect league record so far this season.

"The mood is very good," said Enzo Maresca, who has become the first manager to win his first seven Premier League games in charge of a team. "We are happy with our start but we are hungry for more wins."

The goals have also been flowing for City, with 23 scored in the past six games – including five against AEK Athens on Tuesday in the absence of Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian has recovered from a foot injury and is vying to score in seven successive Premier League appearances for only the second time, and first since 2022 when Villa were among City's opponents. He has, however, since gone four games without a goal against them.

Aston Villa have hit a bit of form and seem to be getting back to the level they were at last season.

They had another good win in the Champions League this week, but then you would expect them to beat Viking pretty comfortably.

Unai Emery's side played well against Newcastle last week too but I thought Newcastle were a bit too gung-ho, and paid the price. Manchester City are a lot more streetwise.

City are going to slip up eventually this season but the fact they have lost on their past three visits to Villa Park actually makes me think it will be different this time.

Erling Haaland is fit too, which will obviously help. With all the heat on the club at the moment, it could just turn out to be one of those seasons where they continue on this incredible run.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Ella Gibbs
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester City at Villa Park (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Emery confirmed Amadou Onana, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Matteo Ruggeri are all "clearly out", however, he will see about his other players following Wednesday's win over Viking.

• On reaching four years as Aston Villa manager: "I am not doing a celebration, I am only trying to get better, to work more and to try to enjoy the way we are doing. My only celebration is when I can have some days off or I can rest, but another day is working, focussing."

• Asked about how they are balancing the fixtures this year being in Champions League too: "Last year we were in the same situation. We were with different players, in different competitions because we were in the Europa League and now in the Champions League. And our objective is each match, each competition. The challenge is to improve. The challenge is set strong our standards, our demands and the gap we have as a team collectively or the gap we have individually."

• On the scheduling of games across all competitions this campaign: "It's not my concern. And if we are speaking about it, we can use it as an excuse - and I don't like to use excuses. We are ready for tomorrow."

• On facing league leaders Manchester City: "They are favourite with Arsenal. They are so strong, so competitive in everything. The identity is clear. So we dream sometimes to be close to them. They have 21 points, we have eight. Game seven, the difference is so big."

• He added: "I think the key there is the coach. Enzo Maresca is doing a fantastic job. He worked with [Pep] Guardiola. He worked in Leicester, successful. In Chelsea, successful. And now he knows Manchester City players, culture, club, and he is following the same way they did before with Guardiola. I think this is the key."

Hit play above to hear more from Emery or listen on BBC Sounds here

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is among Manchester United's, external dream candidates to replace Michael Carrick. (i news), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

After Wednesday's win over Viking my BBC Radio WM colleague and Phone-In host Daz Hale offered Villa fans a theoretical deal.

Appropriately enough, it may sound like the script for a 1980s washing powder commercial. Would you like to go back to your reliable old formula – bring back Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans – or stick with the new?

Daz had no takers. The refreshed squad, Unai Villa 2.0, is winning hearts and minds.

There is trust in the brand that any business in the land would envy. Just a few weeks ago, the odd one or two callers to the programme – and in the opinion of those who responded angrily to them afterwards, it was a very odd one or two – dared to utter the phrase that has damned a thousand football managers, that Unai Emery had "taken us as far as he can". But the overwhelming majority made it clear that they had faith and were prepared to wait for things to happen. Villa have now scored 18 goals in six games. It's happening.

Granted, it has not been the strongest set of six opponents. Brentford, the only side not beaten in that run, were by far the best of that group. Weirdly, Villa have more points in this season's Champions League than in the Premier League, beating only a flailing Tottenham and ailing Newcastle in the priority competition. The next few weeks look appreciably harder. Noble opponents though Viking were, Villa might expect more threat from one Norwegian this weekend than materialised from a whole team of them last night. Lamine Yamal's goal this week might give sleepless nights to whoever ends up facing him when Villa, rather short of fit left-backs lately, go to Barcelona the week after next.

However, there is more to Villa's recent revival than just counting points, or even counting goals. Johan Manzambi is striding around midfield like the new town sheriff. Nicolas Jackson is despatching chances more often with more style. Last night was Alysson's breakthrough moment, running Viking ragged and causing gasps on the Holte. And John McGinn is, by common consent, still Super.

Customer reviews of new-formula Villa are now rolling in: still steely when necessary, but with more pace, more verve, more thrills. Faster, brighter, washes whiter. Given how Villa have railed against having to squirm to stay within financial restrictions in recent years, the arrival on Saturday of a club judged to have taken a rather less rigorous approach to them should fire the fans up. Manchester City are of course in the process of appeal.

Regardless, like their fans, we can now see Villa will be ready too.

We asked for your views on Wednesday's victory against Viking in the Champions League.

Here are some of your comments:

Nick: A really confident performance from the whole team. Alysson stood out. He looks a lot like Morgan Rogers, he's now playing like him too. Garnacho cameo at the end was promising - hopefully Emery will be able to get more consistent performances from him with end product.

Darrell: Onwards and upwards! Brilliant first half but why settle and sit back in the second? Garnacho looked good, maybe he needs a few starts.

Luyimbaazi: Just loving this road to recovery. A very disciplined performance against a team which drew with Bayern Munich. Just a little disappointed we didn't keep a clean sheet. Otherwise it's a very good result, especially confidence-wise to go into the Man City game with.

Matt: Comfortable win. First half looked like a training match, wasn't thrilling but job done. Alysson and Mbaye looked electric; throw Manzambi in the mix and I don't know a defence that would look forward to playing them!

Phil: As a Villa fan for over 65 years this team are playing together with so much confidence, and enthusiasm, it's a pleasure to watch them each week. This is down to a world class manager, a captain in John McGinn and the willingness of each player to have a desire to play for such a great club!

Barcelona and Real Madrid are among the clubs keeping tabs on Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi after the 21-year-old's impressive start to his Aston Villa career. (Football Insider), external

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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, speaking to TNT Sports: "We played a very serious match, disciplined, organised, and then tried to impose ourselves and dominate with our capacity, both collectively and individually.

"We were dominating, feeling comfortable through our discipline tactically, and then exploiting through our individual qualities."

"We didn't start it as we did the first half. We conceded some corners; they were dominating sometimes. But in the 90 minutes overall, we were better.

"We dominated more often than not. We are so happy with how we got those three points."

Aston Villa goalscorer Emiliano Buendia, speaking to TNT Sports: "Very good.

"These type of teams come in here with energy and they want to show their character. We respect them a lot.

"I should score more. I had chances. I'm pleased. Important win."

On Alysson: "He was incredible. He's showing his potential and his ability on the wing. Mbaye as well. It's important to have them. They are young talents.

"I love this club."

Did you know?

• Aston Villa have scored in 3 of their 3 games, no team has done so more often in the Champions League.

• Emiliano Buendía attempted 7 shots in this game, the highest total for a Aston Villa player in the 2026/2027 Champions League.

Listen to more match reaction from Boubacar Kamara on BBC Sounds

Aston Villa starting XI:

Zion Suzuki: Not a huge amount to do, but what he did was done with confidence. Will have been disappointed to miss out on a clean sheet late on. 6

Victor Lindelof: Couple of decent clearances but hardly under any stress all night. 6

Tyrone Mings: Comfortable night as Villa dominated apart from brief Viking threats. 6

Pau Torres: Calm and composed at the back. Rarely troubled. 6

Ross Barkley: Clever near post header for Villa's opener and enjoyed the space he was given in midfield to show his creative side. 7

John McGinn: Typical "Super John McGinn" performance. At the heart of everything. Tackling. Passing. Just what Villa fans have come to love. 7

Alysson: Lively and dangerous out wide. Won the penalty for Emiliano Buendia to score and set up other dangerous opportunities. Real pace and deserved a goal for his efforts. 8

Ibrahim Mbaye: Sent in the perfect delivery from a corner for Barkley's opener and was always energetic. 6

Joao Gomes: Took a knock early but recovered. Solid in the midfield base, ambitious with his passing and saw a cross deflected on to the bar. 7

Emilianio Buendia: Creator. Should have scored with a first half header but coolly slotted home his penalty. 7

Nicolas Jackson: Often a threat but not on target this time. Should have scored with two early headers. 6

Aston Villa substitutes:

Tammy Abraham (on 70, Jackson): No time to make a serious impact. 5

Leon Goretzka (on 70, Barkley): Brought on to secure the win with his experience. 6

Matty Cash (on 71, Joao Gomes): Barely anything to do. 5

Alejandro Garnacho (on 72, Mbiaye): Lively cameo. Could have had a goal. Might boost fragile confidence. 6

George Hemmings (on 75, Alysson):

Subs not used: Bizot, Wright, Harwood-Bellis, Kamara, Maatsen, Bogarde.

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Get in touch with your views here

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies.

There are nine games in the Champions League on Tuesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Como v Manchester United (17:45)

• Lille v Galatasaray (17:45)

• Aston Villa v Viking

• Bayern Munich v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Club Brugge v Lens

• Inter Milan v Shakhtar Donetsk

• Real Betis v Feyenoord

• Real Madrid v RB Leipzig

• Sporting v LASK

Kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Champions League commentary on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play "Bayern Munich v Arsenal" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Arsenal match".

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One from 22:40 to 00:00.

How to follow the Champions League on the BBC

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

Image source, BBC Sport

New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link