Aston Villa delivered a powerful statement in the Premier League title race on Sunday, defeating Manchester United 2-1 at Villa Park in a thrilling encounter. The hero of the hour was midfielder Morgan Rogers, whose brilliant double secured a historic tenth consecutive victory for Unai Emery's surging side.
Rogers' Brilliance Seals Villa's Tenth Straight Win
The match was a tale of two halves, defined by the individual brilliance of Morgan Rogers and the mounting injury woes for Manchester United. Villa took the lead on the stroke of half-time with a stunning counter-attack. John McGinn's precise pass found Rogers on the left, and the England international glided past defender Leny Yoro before curling a beautiful finish into the far corner.
United responded almost immediately, capitalising on a defensive error. Matty Cash was caught in possession, allowing Patrick Dorgu to steal the ball and set up Matheus Cunha, who finished expertly from a tight angle to make it 1-1 at the break.
Injury Crisis Deepens for United as Villa March On
The second half began with a massive blow for the visitors, as captain Bruno Fernandes was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury. This compounded the problems for manager Ruben Amorim, who was already missing seven first-team players due to injury, suspension, and the Africa Cup of Nations.
Villa and Rogers took full advantage. In the 57th minute, Rogers showed incredible desire to pounce on a loose ball in the United penalty area, outmuscling Yoro before slotting a calm finish past goalkeeper Senne Lammens for his sixth goal in six league games. The strike sent Villa Park into raptures, with manager Unai Emery famously throwing his jacket into the air in celebration.
United pushed for an equaliser, with Emiliano Martinez making crucial saves from Diogo Dalot and Dorgu, while Cunha missed a golden chance, heading wide from close range. The introduction of debutant Jack Fletcher, son of United legend Darren, could not inspire a comeback.
Historic Run Fuels Unlikely Title Challenge
This result cements Aston Villa's remarkable transformation under Unai Emery. The victory is their tenth in a row across all competitions, their best run since 1914. In the Premier League, it marks a seventh consecutive win, a feat not achieved since the 1989-90 season.
More importantly, it thrusts them firmly into the title conversation. Villa now sit just three points behind leaders Arsenal and one behind second-placed Manchester City as they chase a first English crown since 1981. This surge is all the more incredible considering their disastrous start to the campaign, where they managed just two points from their first five games.
For Manchester United, the defeat is a setback in their push for European places. Sitting seventh, they are now winless in two games. The potential long-term absence of Bruno Fernandes, who recently revealed the club "wanted me to go" amid summer interest from Al-Hilal, adds a significant layer of concern for the rest of their season.
