Villa scored with both shots on target, on a third of the ball

Aston Villa beat Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park, with every shot they hit on target finding the net.

Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring in the sixth minute, and by the final whistle both of Aston Villa's goals had come from the only two shots they put on target. Villa beat Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park, despite having only 37% of the ball. Jackson's second came in the 60th minute, set up by Ibrahim Mbaye, after John McGinn had given him the first. It was a win built on finishing rather than on dominating possession.

Villa's share of the ball was well below their usual level at home, where they average 47.6%. City, by contrast, had 63% of possession, which is close to their normal figure away from home of 64.6%. In other words, the possession split was what City usually see, and the shape of the game was not unusual for them. The difference lay in what happened once the ball reached the box.

The clearest way to judge chances is expected goals, a rough measure of how likely each shot was to go in based on where it was taken from. Villa's total was 0.6, against the 1.0 they usually reach at home. City's was 1.53, which is below the 2.17 they average away, though it is still above the league's typical figure of 1.45 per side. Villa took eight shots, fewer than their usual 11.7, and only six came from inside the box.

Erling Haaland gave City their goal in the 52nd minute, turning in a chance set up by Iliman Ndiaye. He had three shots, two of them on target, which is the kind of return that usually makes a striker's evening. City's problem was that they scored one goal from their 15 shots, where they usually average 2.7 away from home. They also conceded two, above the one they usually let in on the road.

Villa's defence, by contrast, gave less than they normally do. City's chances added up to 1.53 expected goals against the 1.75 Villa usually concede at home, and Villa conceded one goal against their usual 1.6. Z. Suzuki made six saves in the Villa goal, which is more than any other player on the pitch had to do in that department. Villa were also the side who had to defend the most crosses and box entries, with City getting 12 shots from inside the area.

Discipline was even. Each side picked up four yellow cards, and the bookings came at a steady pace through the game rather than in one flurry. Marc Guehi and Rayan Cherki were both booked for City before the interval, and both had been replaced by the 45th minute. Villa's Matty Cash and Johan Manzambi were cautioned in the second half, and Brian Madjo was booked late on. No player was sent off.

Villa sit 12th in the table on eight points, while City are top on 21. The result was the first time this season that Villa have turned a shot on target into a goal every time, with both of their efforts going in.

Player of the matchN. Jackson2 goals8.9

E. Haaland1 goal7.7

J. McGinn1 assist7.6

Z. Suzuki6 saves7.5