Aston Villa became just the second team in top-flight history to follow a five-game winless start with four consecutive victories after Matty Cash’s first-half strike condemned Manchester City to their first Premier League defeat since August.
A City side that had opened the scoring in their last 10 matches were left with an unfamiliar feeling when the hosts netted the winner on 19 minutes courtesy of Matty Cash’s precise left-foot finish from the edge of the box after a corner, but the visitors were unhappy with the set-piece being awarded, feeling Lucas Digne had fouled Matheus Nunes in the build-up.
City had the opportunity to level just two minutes later when Phil Foden found a pass through to the usually-reliable Erling Haaland, but the striker’s low shot was smothered by Emiliano Martinez.
The victory moves Villa up to seventh and to within a point of City in fourth, with the visitors also seeing their nine-match unbeaten run across all competitions come to an end.
