Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester United: Rogers brace gives Christmas lift as Villans close in on top spot | OneFootball

Aston Villa continued their impressive form by beating Manchester United 2-1 at Villa Park, stretching their unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions.

Morgan Rogers struck twice to propel Villa to third, within three points of league leaders Arsenal and one point behind Manchester City in second.

As it happened

Manchester United started brightly, showing positive intent and crisp passing in the opening stages despite Aston Villa recording more shots on target. The visitors also enjoyed marginally more possession, although Villa could have been close to three goals ahead before the break.

The hosts created several clear chances, with John McGinn and Ollie Watkins both denied by excellent goalkeeping from Senne Lammens. Rogers also went close, but his effort was directed straight at the United goalkeeper.

United’s best opportunities in the first half came through Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Šeško from open play, though both efforts were comfortably saved by Emiliano Martínez. Bruno Fernandes nearly gave United the lead when his shot took a deflection and went out for a corner, but the resulting set piece came to nothing.

Villa finally broke the deadlock just before half-time, as Rogers produced a superb strike into the top right corner. United responded quickly, with their patience rewarded three minutes later when Cunha equalised before the interval.

Lisandro Martínez was introduced at the start of the second half after Fernandes was forced off with a muscle injury. Villa dominated possession early in the half, although United continued to look composed in possession.

United created several chances through Mason Mount, Martínez, Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu, but it was Villa who struck again. Rogers scored his second of the match to restore the hosts’ lead.

The winger nearly completed his hat-trick soon after, meeting a Youri Tielemans corner only to see his effort saved by Lammens. United came close to equalising just after the hour mark when Dorgu flicked the ball into Cunha’s path, but the forward missed a guilt-edged opportunity.

Rogers came close to a fourth for Villa, but Lammens was equal to it, tipping the effort wide. United hit back instantly as Cunha tried to level, only for Martínez to dive smartly to his right and clutch the ball.

Again Cunha pushed United forward, with the ball falling to Shea Lacey just outside the area. He curled a shot towards goal, but Martínez was equal to it, making a comfortable save.

Mount gave Villa a late scare, his free kick crashing against the roof of the net and forcing Martínez into a tense save. But it was too little, too late, as the final whistle confirmed a 2-1 victory for Villa, sending Manchester United below Liverpool into seventh.

Up next, Manchester United face Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, while Aston Villa travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea.

The line-ups

AVL: Martínez; Cash, Konsa,  Lindelöf, Maatsen; Onana, Kamara; McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins

MUN: Lammens; Yoro, Heaven, Shaw; Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mount, Cunha; Šeško