Morgan Rodgers scored twice for Aston Villa, who beat Manchester United 2-1 at Villa Park, making it their 10th consecutive win in all competitions.
Matheus Cunha canceled out Rodgers’ superb opening goal, but the England forward proved he could be the difference-maker in an even game by scoring again in the second half.
United had scored four goals in each of their previous two games, but struggled defensively and a goal was likely. However, the goalkeepers were active until the end of the first half, with Sene Lamence keeping John McGinn at bay and Emi Martinez making a good save from Benjamin Sesco.
A bit of magic from Rodgers provided the breakthrough, cutting inside and finding the top corner. Villa’s celebrations were short-lived, however, as Matty Cash lost the ball to Patrick Dorg, and Cunha calmly equalized before the interval.
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Aston Villa forward Morgan Rodgers scores a screamer against Man United
United played some more enterprising football in the opening 45 minutes and deserved to equalize. However, things got more complicated in the second half, when Bruno Fernandes was sent off injured and Lisandro Martínez was introduced in midfield with Coby Mainu absent.
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Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha curls a great chance wide against Aston Villa
Rodgers’ second shot, curling past Lamence, restored Villa’s lead, but this time Cunha could not find a response. That’s what the Brazilian forward should have done. His free header from Dorgu’s cross from the left missed the goal from 6 yards out.
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Aston Villa forward Morgan Rodgers cuts inside to score his second goal against Manchester United.
Unai Emery’s side remain third in the Premier League despite the win, but the gap with leaders Arsenal has once again narrowed to just three points. Ruben Amorim’s side missed the chance to move ahead of Liverpool and move into fifth place. They will be spending Christmas number seven.
Best Player: Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers told Sky Sports:
“It’s hard work, long hours and you want every shot to be in the top corner, so when you can do that it’s great.
“You have to keep trying. Sometimes it’s my day and sometimes it’s not. Fortunately, these days it’s my happy day.”
“I’m really confident and I’m enjoying my football. It’s not just me, it’s because of the team. The performance, the team gave me that belief and allowed me to be me.”
Sky Sports’ Paul Merson said of Rodgers:
“Sometimes when a team doesn’t work as a team and has an off day, you need an X-factor and a game changer and they can win games from absolutely nothing.
“And that’s where Rodgers is at the moment. He’s been absolutely outstanding the last 10 games or so. They weren’t outstanding, but they were game-changers.”
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Ruben Amorim believes Bruno Fernandes has suffered a soft tissue injury and thinks the Manchester United captain will be out for a while.
Fernandes out for ‘a while’
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim told Sky Sports.
“I think it’s a soft tissue (Fernandes injury) so it’s going to take some time. We’ll see.”
“It’s really weird. We’ve got so many problems this year, especially this time of year, that we have to deal with. I think (Jack) Fletcher played his first game, so that’s good news. (Shay) Lacey, too. So we’re going to find a solution and move on to the next game.”
“I’ve been a manager for six years and even at Sporting it’s all about the academy so history is important because every manager wants to take players out of the academy and spending money doesn’t add value to the manager.
“I just want to win and I want to make sure that the players from the academy don’t suffer too much. I’m just trying to help the club, whether it’s from the academy or abroad.
“I think we were the better team today. We were unlucky with Bruno’s injury, but even without him we were the better team during the game. We did a very good job. Tomorrow no one will remember it, because what matters is the result.”
Analysis: Rodgers leads the way to Villa signing
Sky Sports’ Patrick Lowe at Villa Park:
When Morgan Rodgers first arrived at Aston Villa from Middlesbrough, his raw talent and character were evident.
He was a strong runner with the ball and was able to get himself into dangerous positions while creating for his teammates.
The obvious problem was his composure. Well, to date, he has gone above and beyond in that regard.
Rodgers is no longer a competent finisher. He is performing at an elite level. And elite athletes are able to consistently reproduce the extraordinary.
Whether this level of finishing is sustainable is debatable, but his confidence is so high at the moment that anything is possible.
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Ref Cam captures Morgan Rodgers’ two ‘world class’ goals from unrealistic angles
The England player is no longer just a key figure in the team. He was given the keys by Unai Emery and now stands with the team on his back when it matters most.
Emery has always demanded a lot from Rodgers and will continue to do so.
The long-term commitment may not be sustainable, but the high standards his manager has set for him and his drive to achieve those goals will last forever.
It won’t always be as amazingly impressive as his recent form, but Rodgers will continue to contribute in some way.
If that happens, Villa may go on to win.
Something special is brewing at Villa Park and Rodgers is at the forefront of it.
