Haaland was not deflecting blame. He had scored the equaliser himself, and he spent his post-match time listing the openings City had carved out. Then he refused to call the defeat unlucky.

The Norwegian striker’s verdict on the loss at Villa Park on Saturday was that City had been imprecise rather than unfortunate.

“It is not bad luck, but we have to be more precise and put the ball in the net because that is what you have to do in football matches,” Haaland said, as reported from his post-match comments.

Jackson’s goals in the seventh and the 60th minute bookended Haaland’s 53rd-minute header and ended Maresca’s perfect start in the league. Rayan Cherki and Josko Gvardiol had both been denied by goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, and a Haaland effort was cleared off the line by Ian Maatsen in the closing minutes.

Read also: Doctor reveals how long Jalen Williams could be out

‘Don’t get me wrong’, then the fix

City had created good moments, Haaland noted, including his own header, a Gvardiol attempt tipped onto the bar, and an Iliman Ndiaye strike that came off the post. That was the “don’t get me wrong” part.

The fix he pointed at was tactical and specific: the wide areas.

“We need to prepare the wings, and then the wingers need to know when to make their runs and when to keep the ball,” Haaland said.

Jackson, Emery and Villa up to sixth

The home side had set the tone early. John McGinn won the ball off Marc Guehi inside the opening minutes, Jackson spun past Elliot Anderson, and his finish into the roof of the net gave Villa the lead inside seven minutes.

Read also: Reports put Sean Dyche at the top of the shortlist

Villa’s second came minutes after Haaland’s leveller. Substitute Ibrahim Mbaye picked out Jackson on the edge of the box, and his low shot squirmed under Gianluigi Donnarumma, who could not keep it out.

Villa’s win under Unai Emery lifted them to sixth in the Premier League, with 11 points from eight matches. Manchester City remain top with 21 points, but their flawless league start is gone.

Maresca landed on the same diagnosis as his striker, telling reporters his side were “not being clinical enough” inside the box.

Read also: Tottenham eye surprise double deal as Ruben Amorim makes AC Milan transfer decision