Aston Villa strengthened their surprising Premier League title bid as Morgan Rogers’ brilliant brace secured a 2-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday.
Unai Emery’s side took the lead just before halftime when Rogers produced a stunning strike at Villa Park. Matheus Cunha quickly equalized for United, but Rogers struck again after the interval, scoring his sixth goal in six league games, to seal Villa’s 10th consecutive win across all competitions.
Emery’s third-placed team sits just three points behind leaders Arsenal and one behind second-placed Manchester City, chasing their first English top-flight title since 1981. Villa are enjoying their longest winning streak in all competitions since 1914, when they notched 11 successive victories, and have won seven consecutive league games for the first time since finishing second under Graham Taylor in 1989-90.
The team’s rise into the title race is particularly remarkable given their poor start to the season, managing only two points and a single goal from their opening five matches. Villa Park has become a fortress under Emery, with just one home league defeat in 2025—fewer than any other Premier League team. Arsenal have already lost there this season, and even United, who had only lost once in their previous 26 trips to Villa, were unable to halt Villa’s momentum.
Seventh-placed United suffered their second defeat in 11 league matches, leaving them winless in their last two games following a 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on Monday. The match was further complicated by the loss of captain Bruno Fernandes at halftime with a suspected hamstring injury.
United head coach Ruben Amorim was already missing seven players due to injuries, suspension, and Africa Cup of Nations commitments. Fernandes’ absence adds to United’s challenges, as the influential midfielder had previously rejected a summer move to Al-Hilal.
Villa’s opening goal came from a swift counter-attack in the 45th minute. John McGinn’s precise pass allowed Rogers to surge down the left flank and curl a brilliant finish past Leny Yoro into the far corner. United equalized just before halftime when Matty Cash lost possession, allowing Patrick Dorgu to set up Cunha for a composed finish from a tight angle.
Rogers restored Villa’s lead in the 57th minute, reacting faster than Yoro to a loose ball and slotting it past Senne Lammens from 12 yards. Emery celebrated wildly, throwing his jacket into the air.
United nearly leveled again, but Emiliano Martinez produced key saves from Diogo Dalot and Dorgu, while Cunha missed a header from a promising cross.
Amorim introduced Jack Fletcher, son of former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, for his debut, but the teenager’s first match ended in defeat as Villa maintained their grip on the game.
