In a moment of pure theatre at Villa Park, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery hurled his coat skywards in jubilant celebration. The cause of his elation was Morgan Rogers, whose second sublime goal of the afternoon ultimately secured a hard-fought 2-1 Premier League victory over Manchester United on Sunday. The win marks a remarkable tenth in a row across all competitions for Emery's high-flying side.
Rogers Reigns Supreme with Clinical Double
The match was illuminated by the sheer brilliance of 23-year-old Morgan Rogers. The in-form forward, who was later honoured by teammate Amadou Onana with an imaginary crown, delivered two almost identical moments of magic to decide the contest. Both goals saw Rogers cut in from the left flank before arcing exquisite right-footed finishes high across United goalkeeper Senne Lammens and into the far corner.
His first, arriving just before half-time, was a masterpiece of individual skill. Rogers controlled a crossfield pass from John McGinn, kept the ball in play, and evaded challenges from Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte before unleashing his curling strike from 18 yards. The second, just before the hour mark, came after a period of United pressure. Rogers pounced on a loose ball following a Youri Tielemans cross and Ollie Watkins' touch, before repeating the trick to beat Lammens once more.
United's Frustration Despite Improved Performance
For Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, the result was a source of significant frustration. His team, missing key figures like Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro, and later losing captain Bruno Fernandes to a first-half thigh injury, actually performed with considerable merit for large periods. They dominated possession and created several chances, but were ultimately punished for a lack of cutting edge in the final third.
United's equaliser, which came almost immediately after Rogers' opener, was a gift. Matty Cash was caught in possession by Patrick Dorgu, allowing Matheus Cunha to seize the ball and fire a shot across Emiliano Martinez from a tight angle. Despite that response, United's recurring issue was a blunt attack, with striker Benjamin Sesko continuing to struggle for impact. A glaring late miss from Cunha, who headed wide from five yards, summed up their profligacy.
Villa's Resilience and the Road Ahead
This victory was arguably one of Aston Villa's most modest performances during their stellar winning run. They were often on the back foot and appeared to be running out of steam at times. However, as Emery's coat-flinging celebration demonstrated, the significance of beating Manchester United at Villa Park cannot be overstated. It is a rare feat and underscores the team's newfound resilience and clinical edge.
The three points solidify Villa's hold on third place in the Premier League table and will only intensify the conversation around Rogers' burgeoning claims for a regular spot in Thomas Tuchel's England squad. For United, the search for consistency and a reliable goalscorer continues, with Amorim facing a selection headache as key players remain absent.
