Enzo Maresca has identified a lack of ruthlessness as the reason Manchester City's unbeaten Premier League start ended at Aston Villa.
Nicolas Jackson scored twice for the hosts, either side of an Erling Haaland equaliser, as City went down 2-1 at Villa Park. It was the first league defeat of Maresca's tenure, following seven straight wins.
City had their moments. Haaland's second-half header was the only reward, though Maresca felt his side did enough to leave with at least a point.
"We got into good positions often enough," he said. "But we have to be more clinical."
The visitors struggled to settle early on, largely because Villa lined up differently to how City had expected. By the time they adjusted, Jackson had already struck after six minutes.
City now turn their attention to Wednesday's Carabao Cup fourth-round meeting with Brighton at the Etihad Stadium, before facing the same opponents in the Premier League next weekend.