Morgan Rogers scored twice for Aston Villa as they beat Manchester United 2-1 at Villa Park to make it 10 wins in a row in all competitions.
Matheus Cunha did cancel out Rogers’ stunning opener but the England forward struck again in the second half, proving the difference maker in an otherwise even contest.
Goals were likely, United having scored four in each of their two previous games but struggled defensively. And yet, the goalkeepers starred until late in the first half, Senne Lammens keeping out John McGinn, Emi Martinez saving well from Benjamin Sesko.
A bit of Rogers magic brought the breakthrough, cutting inside and finding the top corner. But Villa’s celebrations were brief because Matty Cash was dispossessed by Patrick Dorgu, allowing Cunha to run through unchallenged to level before the interval.
United were worth their equaliser, having played the more enterprising football in the opening 45 minutes. But it became trickier in the second half, Bruno Fernandes going off injured and Lisandro Martinez coming on in midfield with Kobbie Mainoo absent.
Rogers’ second, another curled effort beyond Lammens, restored Villa’s lead and this time Cunha could not find the response. The Brazilian forward should have done so. His unmarked header from Dorgu’s left-wing cross missed the target from six yards out.
Unai Emery’s side stay third in the Premier League table despite the win, although they do close the gap to leaders Arsenal down to just three points again. Ruben Amorim’s men miss the chance to move above Liverpool into fifth. They will spend Christmas in seventh.
Player of the match: Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers speaking to Sky Sports:
“It’s hard work, long hours, you want every shot to go in the top corner so it’s nice when it does. You’ve just got to keep trying, sometimes it’s your day and sometimes it isn’t. Luckily, lately it’s been my day which I’m happy about.”
Sky Sports’ Paul Merson on Rogers:
“Sometimes the team does not work as a team and you have off days, then you need your X factors and game changers and they win you games out of absolutely nothing.”
Fernandes out for ‘a while’
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim speaking to Sky Sports:
“I think it’s soft tissue [Fernandes injury] so it’s going to be a while. We’ll see.”
“It is really strange. During this year, especially at this time, we have so many problems, but we have to cope with that.”