For 30 years, Aston Villa had been haunted by Manchester United at Villa Park. Time and again, the red tide swept through the West Midlands, collecting points with the efficiency of a side that once dominated English football. But on a freezing December afternoon, Morgan Rogers decided enough was enough.
A historic double ends the curse
The England international's brace – two almost identical curling efforts of the highest quality – delivered Villa their first home victory over Manchester United since November 2022, and only their second in 26 home meetings. More importantly, it secured a tenth consecutive victory in all competitions, the first time Villa have achieved such a run since 1914.
Rogers' first came on the stroke of half-time. John McGinn floated a pass into his path, and the 23-year-old ghosted past Leny Yoro before curling an unstoppable shot into the far corner. It was a goal that demanded replays, a moment of individual brilliance that Villa Park will savour for years to come.
"You've just got to keep trying, sometimes it's your day and sometimes it isn't," Rogers said post-match, with the modesty of a player who knows his form is speaking louder than any words could.
Tactical intrigue fails to mask United's vulnerabilities
Ruben Amorim arrived at Villa Park with a tactical surprise, deploying Manuel Ugarte behind Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes in a midfield three. The intention was clear: combat Villa's talented engine room of Amadou Onana, Boubacar Kamara, and Youri Tielemans.
For periods, particularly in the opening 45 minutes, it worked. United were arguably the better side, controlling territory and limiting Villa's transition opportunities. But football, as Amorim is learning the hard way, does not reward tactical blueprints. It rewards goals.
Matheus Cunha's equaliser, arriving barely three minutes after Rogers' opener, should have been the platform for United dominance. Matty Cash's poor pass was seized upon by Patrick Dorgu, who fed Cunha to slide a composed finish past Emiliano Martinez. At 1-1, the game was there for the taking.
The Fernandes injury changes everything
The half-time withdrawal of Bruno Fernandes sent shockwaves through the United camp. The Portuguese captain had been grabbing his hamstring late in the first half, and the decision not to risk him further left Amorim scrambling for solutions.
His answer was unconventional: Lisandro Martinez in midfield. The Argentine World Cup winner, more accustomed to marshalling defences, slotted into the engine room alongside Manuel Ugarte. It was a move born of necessity rather than design, with Kobbie Mainoo absent through injury.
United will be sweating on Fernandes' fitness ahead of a brutal festive schedule that includes Newcastle and Wolves in their next two fixtures.
Rogers' second confirms Villa's title credentials
The winning goal, arriving in the 57th minute, was déjà vu of the most beautiful kind. Once again Rogers found himself in space on the left, once again he cut inside, and once again the ball curved inexorably into the far corner.
"Teams win Premier Leagues, but you have to have X-factors in your teams," observed one pundit. "Sometimes the team does not work as a team and you have those off days, then you need your X-factors and game changers. That is what Rogers is at the moment – he has been absolutely outstanding the last 10 games or so."
The analysis is accurate. Villa were not at their scintillating best, nowhere near the level that dismantled Arsenal and Manchester City at this same venue. But they had Rogers, and that was enough.
Cunha's miss and United's lingering regrets
The game should have ended 2-2. In the 67th minute, Patrick Dorgu delivered a sumptuous cross from the left flank, finding Cunha completely unmarked five yards from goal. The Brazilian, who has been one of United's most consistent performers this season, somehow steered his header wide.
It was the miss of a player who knew the magnitude of the moment, and the weight of expectation caused his technique to fail him. United's away record this season – two consecutive wins before this defeat – had suggested progress. But old habits die hard, and the inability to capitalise on clear opportunities continues to undermine Amorim's project.
Academy debuts offer silver lining
Amid the disappointment, there were glimpses of the future. Jack Fletcher, son of United legend Darren, made his Premier League debut when he replaced Ugarte with 20 minutes remaining. Fellow academy product Shea Lacey followed late in the game.
Amorim had spoken during the week about the academy's role in United's rebuild. The evidence at Villa Park suggested that, at least in principle, he means what he says.
Title race implications
For Unai Emery, this victory cements Villa's position as genuine contenders. They sit third in the Premier League table, just three points behind leaders Arsenal, with a game in hand on several of their rivals.
Before the match, Emery had spoken of his motivation to avenge last season's final-day defeat at Old Trafford, a loss that cost Villa Champions League qualification. "Manchester United is very difficult," he said. "We are so motivated to try to keep our consistency against them... to play on Sunday for three points, for us, is a really huge moment."
Villa's Christmas schedule is demanding – Chelsea and Arsenal away follow – but this is a team that thrives under pressure. The 10-match winning streak is no fluke; it is the product of tactical discipline, individual quality, and a manager who has transformed the club's mentality.
Where do United go from here?
Seventh place at Christmas is not where Manchester United expected to be. The pre-match praise Amorim heaped on Villa – calling them "a very mature team" capable of winning the title – now reads as an inadvertent commentary on his own side's immaturity.
United's attacking output has been impressive; only Manchester City have scored more goals in the league this season. But the defensive fragility that saw them ship four at home to Bournemouth last week resurfaced here, with Rogers given far too much space to execute his trademark curling finishes.
The injury to Fernandes compounds an already challenging situation. United's captain has been their most reliable performer for five seasons, and his absence – however long – will be keenly felt.
For Villa, the road to a first league title since 1981 runs through Christmas fixtures at Stamford Bridge and the Emirates. Win those, and the conversation around Villa Park will shift from "can they compete?" to "can they win it?"
Morgan Rogers, for one, looks like a player ready to answer that question.
