Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester United

Morgan Rogers scored a spectacular brace as Aston Villa claimed a hard-fought victory against Manchester United in the Premier League, racking up a tenth consecutive win to stay third in the table.

The 23-year-old, who bagged two at West Ham United last weekend, lit up Villa Park when he sent a shot curling into the top corner in the 45^th minute to open the scoring.

Home joy was cut short, however, when Matheus Cunha lashed home from close-range in first-half stoppage time to send the visitors in level at the break.

Rogers provided another moment of brilliance to restore the his team’s lead just before the hour mark, bending a shot home in front of the Holte End to become the first Villan to score two or more goals in back-to-back top-flight appearances since Dion Dublin in November 1998.

Triumph in the final home game of the year meant Unai Emery's men end 2025 with just one loss in 27 games at Villa Park.

Emi Martínez returned in goal as Villa made one change from a victory against West Ham United seven days ago, and the goalkeeper could only watch on as Cunha curled a shot narrowly wide after three minutes.

In a fiery opening to the game, his opposite number Senne Lammens produced a terrific one-handed save to keep out John McGinn’s low drive before Ollie Watkins’ follow up was blocked by a despairing Ayden Heaven.

A cagey passage unfolded before Martínez came to the home side’s rescue in the 22^nd minute, racing from his goal to deny Banjamin Sesko after a Cunha through ball had made its way through to the striker on the edge of the box.

Rogers attempted to continue his hot streak with an effort from distance, but it drifted tamely into the arms of Lammens, with United responding via a stinging drive from Cunha, which was parried away by the Villa ‘keeper.

Youri Tielemans was next to have a go, curling wide from outside the box, and it looked like the sides would be level at half-time until Rogers produced another spectacular goal to add to his growing collection.

Villa’s No.27 kept the ball in play down the left before cutting back onto his right foot and unleashing a cultured shot from just inside the area, bending it beautifully into the top corner to send the home fans wild.

The lead was to last all of two minutes, however, as United won possession back in a dangerous position, allowing Patrick Dorgu to tee up Cunha to level the scores in first-half stoppage time.

A spell of prolonged possession for the hosts at the start of the second half portrayed a desire to exert greater control over proceedings, but United’s threat going forward remained, Mason Mount driving a shot wide with their first attack after the restart.

Lisando Martinez replaced Bruno Fernandes at the break, and the Argentine broke up a counter-attack before sending a shot just wide.

The visitors were in the ascendancy, but their momentum was killed minutes later when Rogers picked up a loose ball in the box and sent another right-footed effort curling past Lammens.

Dorgu blocked Rogers’ next attempt as the playmaker sought a hat-trick before the Red Devils missed a glorious chance to equalise, Cunha heading Dorgu’s centre wide from six yards out.

Emery brought Lucas Digne, Donyell Malen, Emi Buendía, Lamare Bogarde and Evann Guessand off the bench as he looked to see the game out, while Cunha continued his crusade to equalise by testing Martínez from distance.

United sub Shea Lacey brought a save from the Villa 'keeper with a long-range shot before Mount curled a free-kick onto the roof of his net in stoppage time.

Tension turned to delight with the sound of the full-time whistle as Villa's incredible winning run continued, fans and players revelling in their latest success.