Manchester City’s flawless Premier League run came to an abrupt halt on Saturday, with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park. Nicolas Jackson’s brace ultimately decided the match, even though City spent long spells on the front foot and created enough chances to avoid defeat.

The visitors were bright before the interval and frequently forced Zion Suzuki into sharp saves, while two penalty appeals were waved away. Iliman Ndiaye was the most dangerous outlet, twice threatening from distance and going close when a fierce effort struck the outside of the post.

After the restart, City finally found a breakthrough. Erling Haaland rose to meet Ndiaye’s delivery and powered in the equaliser, seemingly giving the visitors the momentum they needed. But the response did not last. Villa regained the lead when Gianluigi Donnarumma failed to keep out Jackson’s driven strike, and City were unable to recover despite sustained pressure.

There were positives in the performance, particularly in Ndiaye’s work from wide areas. His acceleration and direct running repeatedly troubled Villa, and his contribution to the goal underlined his influence. Haaland, meanwhile, offered little beyond the header, though that proved enough to add to his tally.

At the other end, Marc Guéhi endured another difficult outing after a costly mistake helped Villa seize the initiative. Donnarumma, too, came under scrutiny after Jackson’s second goal, with the shot appearing central enough to be dealt with. Villa’s goalkeeper Suzuki, by contrast, was outstanding and repeatedly denied City when they seemed poised to score.

The result leaves City with work to do after their unbeaten start was ended, and it also opens the door for Arsenal to draw level at the top of the table.

The Premier League returns after another midweek round of continental action involving nine English clubs, and Gameweek 8 arrives with little room for recovery. Several of the league’s biggest sides are back in action quickly, while a number of awkward fixtures could shape the standings before the weekend is over.

Friday’s opener at Portman Road looks finely balanced. Ipswich Town have collected nine points from seven matches and have taken two-thirds of that tally at home, with wins over Sunderland and Fulham lifting them to 10th. Nottingham Forest, however, arrive with their own issues, and goals have been difficult to come by for the Tricky Trees. A draw feels the likeliest outcome.

Aston Villa’s meeting with Man City is one of the standout fixtures on Saturday. Villa have won five of their last six, while City have maintained a perfect Premier League run, though their domestic record remains surrounded by uncertainty off the pitch. Even so, their form under Pep Guardiola has been efficient, and with Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden in encouraging touch, they are tipped to edge it.

Arsenal are expected to keep pace at the top with a home win over Everton. The Gunners remain defensively solid, even if their attack will be without Bukayo Saka, while Everton are likely to sit deep and counter through Thierno Barry, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish.

Chelsea’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur closes Saturday and the home side look strong favourites. Spurs have won only once at Stamford Bridge in 25 years, while Chelsea have scored 17 goals in seven matches under Xabi Alonso. João Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers have all been in form.

Elsewhere, Liverpool’s meeting with Brighton has the feel of a high-scoring draw, Man Utd are predicted to share the points with Bournemouth, and Sunderland’s test against Leeds United could be decided by fatigue after their trip to Poland.

Manchester City head into Saturday’s early Premier League fixture at Aston Villa with Erling Haaland confirmed as fully fit. Enzo Maresca said the striker is “100%” available, easing some of the uncertainty around a team still monitoring a few injury concerns.

Maresca said the status of Nico O’Reilly, Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovačić remains unresolved. “The injured players] can all be available or not in terms of still doubt,” Maresca revealed. “Yesterday, they were all improving, and we’ll see this afternoon.

“For sure, Erling is the only one 100% available.”

That is a timely boost for a forward who has made an immediate impact this season. Haaland has scored eight goals in seven Premier League appearances and is three clear of Alexander Isak and João Pedro at this stage of the campaign. A fourth Golden Boot, which would match Thierry Henry and Mohamed Salah, is already within reach.

City’s recent setback came with the news that winger Antoine Semenyo will miss two months through injury. His absence means Maresca has already had to shuffle his attacking options. In the AEK Athens match, Allan was used on the wing and 17-year-old Floyd Samba started in Haaland’s place, while Phil Foden produced the standout display with a hat-trick and an assist for Rayan Cherki.

Maresca described Cherki as “one of the best players in Europe” when he is at his best.

Villa now offer a sterner examination for a City side chasing an eighth straight win to begin the new Premier League season. Jérémy Doku is expected to come in on the wing against Unai Emery’s team, who will also be aware of the challenge of containing Haaland. Few sides, though, have a record against the Norway international as strong as Villa’s.