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10-in-a-row Villa soar after England star's super show
Simon Peach • December 22nd, 2025 9:55 am
Morgan Rogers proved a dazzling matchwinner for Aston Villa in their win over Manchester United | Photo: AP
Manager Unai Emery has heaped praise on Morgan Rogers after the England star's brilliant brace fired Premier League title contenders Aston Villa to a 2-1 victory over Manchester United - the team's 10th successive win in all competitions.
A week on from sealing victory at West Ham by following up a fine finish with a stunning strike, the 23-year-old was at it again on Sunday as Villa headed into Christmas within three points of leaders Arsenal.
Rogers showed skill and confidence when cutting in from the left to bend home a beautiful strike late in a first half that that ended with Matheus Cunha levelling for United after Matty Cash was dispossessed.
But Villa were not to be denied a seventh-straight Premier League victory as Rogers hammered home his second after the break.
Morgan Rogers strikes again with goal No. 2 against Man United | Photo: AP
Villa round off 2025 with tough trips to Chelsea and Arsenal.
Emery noted Rogers was not scoring as freely early in the season but his attitude was always spot on.
"Always doing his task, always with the commitment he's showing, with the attitude he has, played each match. Today he did the same and scored goals, of course. He is the protagonist.
"I'm so, so happy because he's a fighter. He's a good guy, very good guy. His commitment with Aston Villa is massive, and his attitude every day is really fantastic."
Manchester United's Matheus Cunha is the picture of frustration after their defeat at Villa Park | Photo: AP
United were without seven first-team players at Villa Park and their second loss in 11 matches was compounded by a worrying injury to their captain.
Bruno Fernandes is likely to miss games, United coach Ruben Amorim revealed after the Portuguese midfielder sustained a soft tissue injury in the first half, appearing to hurt his hamstring when pulling up.
He played on until the break but was replaced by Lisandro Martinez for the start of the second half.
United skipper Bruno Fernandes goes down injured | Photo: EPA
I think he is going to lose some games, but I don't know for sure," Amorim said in his post-match news conference.
"I don't want to talk about the matter, it is a guy who is always fit and he has shown he can always recover."
United are already without Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui, who are playing in the Africa Cup of Nations. Amorim's options were further depleted on Sunday, with midfielder Kobbie Mainoo ruled out with a calf injury picked up in training.
"During this year, especially in this time, we have so many problems, but we have to cope with that," Amorim said.
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