Aston Villa Beat Manchester United With Morgan Rogers Leading The Charge

Last Updated:December 22, 2025, 00:18 IST

Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers scored twice to bag a 2-1 victory over Manchester United, boosting Unai Emery's Premier League title challenge.

Morgan Rogers led Aston Villa to a win over Manchester United (Picture credit: AP)

Aston Villa advanced their unexpected Premier League title challenge as Morgan Rogers’ brilliant brace bagged a 2-1 win against Manchester United on Sunday, December 21.

Unai Emery’s team took the lead through Rogers’ stunning strike late in the first half at Villa Park.

Matheus Cunha equalised for United moments later, but Rogers netted his sixth goal in his last six league appearances after the interval to clinch Villa’s 10th successive victory in all competitions.

Unai Emery’s third-placed side are now just three points behind leaders Arsenal and one point behind second-placed Manchester City as they pursue their first English title since 1981.

Villa are enjoying their best winning run in all competitions since 1914, when they achieved 11 successive wins.

They have won seven consecutive top-flight matches for the first time since the 1989-90 season, when they finished second under Graham Taylor.

Villa’s rise into the title race is even more remarkable given their worst start to a league campaign in 28 years, which saw them earn just two points and score only one goal in their opening five matches.

Emery has turned Villa Park into a fortress, with only one Premier League home defeat in 2025, fewer than any other team.

Arsenal have already lost there this season, and even United, who had been beaten just once in their previous 26 trips to Villa, were unable to thwart Emery’s title bid.

Seventh-placed United’s second defeat in their last 11 league matches left them winless in their last two games following the 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on Monday.

Adding to Ruben Amorim’s problems, United captain Bruno Fernandes was forced off at half-time with an apparent hamstring issue.

Fernandes’ injury came at a particularly bad time for Amorim, who was already missing seven players against Villa.

Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, and Kobbie Mainoo were injured, Casemiro was suspended, and Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, and Noussair Mazraoui are at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Fernandes recently claimed United “wanted me to go" when Al-Hilal made a bid for him in the summer.

The Portugal midfielder rejected the move to Saudi Arabia, but United will have to cope without their influential captain if Fernandes is sidelined for a significant period.

Benjamin Sesko should have put United ahead after racing into the Villa area, but he hesitated, allowing Emiliano Martinez to dash off his line and block the Slovenian’s shot.

Villa took the lead with a perfectly executed counter-attack in the 45th minute.

John McGinn’s pinpoint pass sent Rogers surging down the left flank, and the England midfielder glided past Leny Yoro to curl a brilliant finish into the far corner from just inside the area.

Matty Cash gifted United their equaliser on the stroke of half-time, the defender dawdling in possession as Patrick Dorgu pounced to set up Cunha for a clinical finish from an acute angle.

Losing Fernandes for the second half was a significant blow, and the irrepressible Rogers restored Villa’s advantage in the 57th minute.

Showing more desire than Yoro, Rogers pounced on a loose ball in the United area and guided a predatory finish past Senne Lammens from 12 yards.

Emery revelled in the moment, roaring in delight as he threw his jacket in the air in celebration.

The Spaniard’s joy was almost cut short, but Martinez was saved from Diogo Dalot and Dorgu to preserve Villa’s lead.

Cunha squandered an even better chance, heading wide from Dorgu’s cross.

Amorim sent on Jack Fletcher, the son of former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, for his debut, but the teenager’s first match ended in a loss.

(With AFP Inputs)

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