Aston Villa intensified their unlikely Premier League title push as Morgan Rogers’ superb double inspired a 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Villa Park on Sunday.
Unai Emery’s side went ahead late in the first half when Rogers produced a moment of brilliance, only for Matheus Cunha to equalise for United shortly afterwards. Rogers, however, struck again after the break — his sixth goal in as many league games — to secure Villa’s 10th straight win in all competitions.
The result leaves Emery’s third-placed team just three points behind leaders Arsenal and one adrift of Manchester City, as Villa chase their first league title since 1981. It also marked their best winning run in all competitions since 1914, while seven consecutive top-flight victories is their longest streak since the 1989-90 season.
Villa’s surge is all the more remarkable given their difficult start to the campaign, which yielded just two points and one goal from their opening five matches — their worst opening for 28 years. Emery has since transformed Villa Park into a fortress, with only one Premier League home defeat in 2025, fewer than any other side.
Arsenal have already fallen at Villa Park this season, and United — who had lost only once in their previous 26 visits — were also unable to halt Villa’s momentum. The defeat left seventh-placed United without a win in their last two league matches following Monday’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
United’s problems deepened when captain Bruno Fernandes was forced off at half-time with a suspected hamstring injury. The setback came with Ruben Amorim already missing several key players, including Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt and Kobbie Mainoo through injury, Casemiro through suspension, and Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui due to Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Fernandes’ absence proved costly after the interval, and Villa regained the lead in the 57th minute. Rogers showed greater hunger than Leny Yoro to latch onto a loose ball in the box before calmly finishing past Senne Lammens.
Villa’s opener had come in the 45th minute via a swift counter-attack, with John McGinn’s precise pass releasing Rogers down the left, where he skipped past Yoro and curled a fine effort into the far corner. United levelled on the stroke of half-time after Matty Cash lost possession, allowing Patrick Dorgu to set up Cunha for a sharp finish.
Emery celebrated wildly as Villa reclaimed the advantage, though his side were briefly tested as Emiliano Martinez produced key saves from Diogo Dalot and Dorgu, while Cunha later headed wide from close range.
Amorim handed a debut to teenager Jack Fletcher, son of former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, but it was not enough to prevent United slipping to defeat as Villa’s title charge gathered further momentum.
