Split image of Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca and and Aston Villa boss Unai Emery
Split image of Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca and and Aston Villa boss Unai Emery
At Villa Park on 24 October, the Spanish manager got the better of Enzo Maresca as the game ended 2-1.
Nicolas Jackson's brace ensured that the Villans got the three points at home against the Citizens.
Man City's seven-game winning run in the Premier League was snapped by Villa.
Emery made sure the attacking talent of Rayan Cherki, Iliman Ndiaye and Jeremy Doku was kept under control.
While Erling Haaland did score, he was mostly anonymous, and the Lions have now emulated Liverpool with another win over the Sky Blues.
How Aston Villa pulled off 10-year first vs Man City
Jackson was influential against Man City as Villa continued their Premier League resurgence.
The Villans failed to win any of their first four league matches this season and looked to be in trouble.
However, just like the previous campaign, Emery's team are beginning to find their rhythm and are steadily climbing up the table.
The Lions are now just two points behind fifth-place Chelsea after becoming the first team since 2016 to beat Man City in three back-to-back league matches.
Liverpool were the last side to beat the Citizens in three straight Premier League games.
Aston Villa game in numbers after win vs Man City
It wasn't surprising to see Man City dominate possession against Villa, but the hosts made the most of their chances.
Maresca's team enjoyed 64 per cent possession and finished with an xG of 1.56 compared to the Villans' 0.61, as per Sofascore.
The Lions clearly overperformed against the Sky Blues in expected goals and some of it was certainly down to Gianluigi Donnarumma's poor goalkeeping.
Zion Suzuki made some impressive saves, ending the game with six, while the Man City goalkeeper recorded zero.
Villa created two big chances to the Citizens' four, but the visitors failed to convert theirs.
Emery's team had to work hard in defence, recording 31 tackles, 11 interceptions and 22 clearances.
The Villans had a bit of luck on their side, but as they say, fortune favours the brave.