Analysis: Man City miss out on breaking club recordpublished at 15:30 BST 24 October
15:30 BST 24 October
Phil Cartwright BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City were aiming to become the eighth team to win their first eight games of an English top-flight season and post a new outright club record for successive league wins at the start of a campaign, which has stood since 1897-98.
They held control of the game for long spells and Erling Haaland continued his superb scoring run, finding the net for the seventh Premier League match in a row.
However, both goals they conceded were preventable.
Marc Guehi's loose touch attempting to control a lofted square pass by Enzo Fernandez 30 yards from his own goal was punished and he was one of two players substituted at half-time by Enzo Maresca.
Nicolas Jackson's second was struck early from just inside the penalty area and although Gianluigi Donnarumma had little time to react, the shot was almost straight at the Italian goalkeeper, who was unable to get a strong hand to the ball to keep it out.
City host in-form Brighton twice in quick succession, first in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and then in the Premier League three days later, while a busy November concludes with a trip to champions Arsenal.
Aston Villa 2-1 Man City: What Maresca and Dias saidpublished at 15:11 BST 24 October
15:11 BST 24 October
Enzo Maresca spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Manchester City's defeat against Aston Villa: "It was a good game, good performance but unfortunately we lost. I think we did enough to get something more. We learn and move on.
"We struggled the first 10-15 minutes because we excepted them one way but they were different. We adjusted then controlled the game."
On half-time substitutes: "They were both on yellow cards, with this noise sometimes better to avoid. I think overall we did enough to take something from this game.
"When we scored I had the feeling that we were in control and really for the entire game. We created many chances but unfortunately didn't score them. We conceded one transition in the second half and they were very efficient because they scored. Bit unlucky and we learn from that.
"I was not here in the past but today I think we deserved something more."
Captain Ruben Dias spoke to TNT Sports: "Frustrating, felt like we fought a lot. First 10-15 minutes of the first half we took our time to get into the game.
"They changed the way they set up so we took time to adapt. But we fought, we had chances and they ended up scoring two goals in two transitions - very efficient. Room to improve, we need to do better.
"It is what it is. Whatever happens we need to react to it. The team had a very good reaction. The second one was tough because it was very close to our equaliser. We kept going and tried to create chances. Not our day but we keep moving forward.
"I felt like we were dangerous on many occasions, even if the finish wasn't there we arrived in dangerous places but not able to play. A word of appreciation to the boys because we kept fighting to the end."
Did you know?
After conceding eight goals in their opening nine matches of the 2026-27 season in all competitions, Manchester City have since conceded nine times across their last four games
Erling Haaland has scored in each of his past seven Premier League appearances; it's his joint-longest run in the competition along with between August and October 2022
Aston Villa 2-1 Man City: How the players ratedpublished at 14:44 BST 24 October
14:44 BST 24 October
Starting XI
Gianluigi Donnarumma: Conceded an early corner after taking too long over a goal-kick, poor kicking often put team-mates in trouble and should have done better for the second goal. 5
Abdukodir Khusanov: Shaky at right-back before being moved into central defence for the second half. 6
Ruben Dias: Rattled by Jackson in the first half but made a good block to deny Alysson a certain goal. 5
Marc Guehi: Another shocker. Culpable for both of Ipswich's goals last weekend and made another poor error which led to Villa's opener. Booked for hauling down Jackson on the edge of the box before being taken off at half-time. 4
Josko Gvardiol: Given a difficult time by Alysson throughout but came close to scoring in the second half. 5
Elliot Anderson: Struggled to impose himself in the game and was shown a yellow card for a mis-timed challenge on Gomes. 6
Enzo Fernandez: Always available for the ball but lost the midfield battle. 6
Iliman Ndiaye: City's liveliest player. Showed quick footwork to force Suzuki into a decent save, clipped the post with another similar effort and provided the cross for Haaland's equaliser. 8
Jeremy Doku: Looked to create openings with his box of tricks but often wasteful. 6
Rayan Cherki: Often crowded out by Villa's midfield and booked for a frustrated tug on Manzambi. Subbed at half-time. 5
Erling Haaland: Quiet in the first half but came to life in the second with a towering header to draw his side level. 7
Substitutes
Phil Foden (on 46, Cherki) Had little impact after Tuesday's Champions League hat-trick. 6
Rico Lewis (on 46, Guehi) Pushed forward but unable to make a meaningful contribution. 6
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Aston Villa v Man City: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:31 BST 23 October
19:31 BST 23 October
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.
Sutton's predictions: Aston Villa v Man Citypublished at 18:27 BST 23 October
18:27 BST 23 October
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.
'Man City side is full of character'published at 09:29 BST 23 October
09:29 BST 23 October
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Sport fan contributor and Manchester City supporter Steven McInerney believes another "potential league-winning side" could be emerging in new manager Enzo Maresca's first season in charge.
He said: "Maresca and Manchester City have put together, yet again, a collection of players with so much personality and so much charisma that they are genuinely just a joy to watch.
"With all these new stars - [Ayyoub] Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez - this City side is just absolutely full of character and personality.
"Add to that the likes of Marc Guehi, Iliman Ndiaye, [Antoine] Semenyo - people who all joined within the last year or so - and you can start to see a future where this team could potentially grow into a league-winning side.
"Given where we were at post [Pep] Guardiola leaving, post Rodri, Bernardo Silva, John Stones, [Nathan] Ake, and before that all the other legends that moved on, that wasn't a guarantee.
"We've seen lots of teams spend money and lots of teams throw that money away whereas City - despite all of the noise around the team, I'm not downplaying it - do know how to identify talent.
"And when a player doesn't work - Tijjani Reijnders, Savio, [Omar] Marmoush - they sell them well to rival sides and then they replace them very, very effectively. City are a very well run club in the playing sense."
Bournemouth the 'right place' for Scott - Foleypublished at 16:12 BST 22 October
16:12 BST 22 October
Image source, Getty Images
Owner Bill Foley believes Bournemouth is the "right place" for midfielder Alex Scott to be and says the Cherries have not given up hope of the midfielder signing a new contract.
The 23-year-old England international has a £100m asking price after a £64m offer from Chelsea was rejected in the summer.
Speaking to Talksport, Foley said: "At this point, we're convinced we're the right place for Alex to be and to stay, and we'll keep on addressing the contract issues with Alex as we move through this year.
"We'd love to have Alex stay here and sign a new contract and be part of this team for the long haul.
"We haven't given up, but sometimes players get stars in their eyes and they think that Chelsea or Manchester City is the right place to go."
Scott, who is sidelined with a thigh injury suffered on England duty, is contracted to Bournemouth until June 2028.
"I like when the players are happy, 100%," said Maresca. "I also like simple things.
"The most difficult thing in football is to do the easy things - don't complicate it. Sometimes players that are so good like Rayan, they can do that. In this moment, Rayan is one of the best players in Europe.
"When he is in the right position - that means when we are able to find him between the lines - he is always dangerous and he has the quality in the box.
"If we are able to keep him there and find him between the lines and in the right position, he is one of the best players in Europe."
Maresca on injuries, sitting down with Foden and 'intense' Villapublished at 11:50 BST 22 October
11:50 BST 22 October
Josh Lobley BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Villa Park (kick-off 12:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic and Nico O'Reilly "could all be available" for Saturday's match but there are "still doubts" over the trio. Maresca confirmed that Erling Haaland is "100% available".
When asked what he has done with Phil Foden since arriving at the club: "I have sat down with Phil two or three times, especially at the beginning, to show him how important he is. In the past few years he was not good enough for different reasons. But when you have more players like Phil, you are a better team."
He described Rayan Cherki as "one of the best in Europe when he is in the right position" but stressed the importance of the team not individuals: "It's not about one player. They are all special. Rayan is a top player but we have another 20 top players. It's about finding the right balance of what we want."
Maresca still wants to improve in "all areas" despite a near-perfect start to the season: "We can attack and defend better. In the past three games we had the best defence in the league before our game started, but then we concede goals. I am always looking for how we can improve."
More on improvement: "Sometimes we forget it has been just three or four months since we started. I was here before but it is a completely new project. We only started months ago but that's why I'm sure we can improve."
On Saturday's opponents: "I have huge respect for Unai [Emery]. He has done well at every club he has been to. They are a very good team and you can see clearly what they want; they are very intense off the ball. They are in a good mood at the moment and winning games."
It was a victory that saw Enzo Maresca's side return to winning ways in the Champions League group phase, with two wins and one defeat from three games.
Relive Phil Foden's clinical hat-trick, Elliot Anderson's first goal for the club and Rayan Cherki's trademark finish below.
No mistake over Gravenberch red card - panelpublished at 17:28 BST 21 October
17:28 BST 21 October
Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has backed the red card shown to Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch against Manchester City.
The Netherlands international was sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh for two bookable offences, the first caution coming in the 47th minute for a trip on Elliot Anderson.
"I think the first foul is never a yellow card," Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola said after the game. "These kinds of games, just a stomp on the big toe, or something minor."
Gravenberch received his second yellow card in the 62nd minute for bringing down Jeremy Doku, who could have started a promising attack for City.
The KMI Panel makes a judgement on both yellow cards when assessing a red card shown for two cautions, but it was a 4:1 vote in favour of the referee's decisions.
Only one panel member voted it to be a mistake on-field, on the basis that the foul on Anderson was not a yellow card offence.
The video assistant referee is now able to initiate a review on the second yellow card element, but the choice to make no intervention was supported by the Key Match Incidents Panel unanimously.
How could Foden and Cherki's 'unplayable' partnership blossom?published at 15:15 BST 21 October
15:15 BST 21 October
Image source, Getty Images
Former Premier League winger Ashley Young has praised Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki's "sublime link-up play" in Manchester City's 5-1 win over AEK Athens in the Champions League.
Foden was the most featured name on the scoresheet, having scored a hat-trick and provided an assist to help Enzo Maresca's side back to winning ways in the competition.
"Phil Foden always wants to play close to goal - and that's when he's at his best," Young told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily. "He wants to be in that number 10 position, but when you've got Rayan Cherki producing and playing the way he is then it is hard to get that opportunity.
"However, it was all about Foden against AEK Athens.
"With Erling Haaland not playing, there needed to be players running in behind and passing between players. I have to say, the link-up play between Foden and Cherki was sublime.
"It was unplayable at times, and AEK Athens didn't know what was going on or which way to turn. Cherki looked like he was having fun out there and Foden took the opportunity to show everybody what he's about once again.
"He was laying down a marker to say: 'Listen, I'm back'."
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock added: "It will be interesting to see how Enzo Maresca deals with this, especially in terms of how he goes about drip feeding Cherki and Foden game time.
"One of them is going to be disappointed when they don't play, so how will he reiterate that both of them are still vitally important players for his system?
"The reality is every player wants to play every minute, but they can't. The game has evolved since I was a player, these days you have to be ready to step up two games down the line while also being ready to step in for 30 minutes of the next game."
Harry: Philip Walter Foden. I might be wrong, but if we get banished to the seventh hell for breaches of financial regulations, he'll be there fighting our demons. It's why all this talk of "Foden's lost it" has to be ignored, because no real City fan would ever give up on this lad. Yes, this was AEK Athens, but to see Rayan Cherki, Allan, Enzo Fernandez and Foden move in the way they were - it's just top-tier football. We might go down, but we'll go down being the best footballing side this country has ever seen. This was a must win and we walked it. CTID!
Jessica: As a life long City fan, I loved Pep Guardiola, but I felt that in the past couple of years that his style of play was boring and slow. Players like Foden and Rico Lewis were fading. Now, Enzo Maresca is giving them freedom and they are blossoming again. Lewis summed it up after the match by saying his instructions were simple to understand, - in other words, Pep's instructions weren't.
GameGoSalfordBlueM40: Pleased as I was with the 5-1 result (+4 GD), we could have, and quite easily should have, scored a couple more to boost our goal difference. But let's not be too greedy, eh lads! That said, three points was most important when it comes to qualification, and more specifically [finishing] top eight. Phil Foden hat-rick was so good. Glad I was there. Proud.
Eddie: City going well, Foden back to his best - what's not to like? City fan for 50 years, I just love it.
Image source, Getty Images
