MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Morgan Rodgers scored two stunning solo goals to beat Manchester United 2-1 and keep Aston Villa in contention for the championship. premier league title.
Sunday’s victory at Villa Park was Unai Emery’s side’s 10th successive win in all competitions, leaving them third in the table and three points behind leaders Arsenal.
Rodgers curled two shots into the top corners either side of United’s Matheus Cunha’s goal.
In the 45th minute, Villa cut in from the left and fired a shot straight in front. The second goal came in the 57th, when the ball curled again and sailed over the dive of United goalkeeper Senne Lamence.
The win continued Villa’s outstanding run of 11 wins from their last 12 league games.
“Our supporters should be proud of everything we are doing together,” Emery said.
Arsenal won on Saturday and 2nd place Manchester City I could see the top two pulling away. However, Villa’s latest win has once again confirmed their title credentials after bouncing back from a disappointing start to the season.
Villa emerged as surprise contenders after losing two of their first three games and failing to win in five. They are currently unbeaten in 19 games in all competitions, with 16 wins during that period.
It was Rodgers’ second double of the game, after scoring twice in last week’s 3-2 win over West Ham.
“Sometimes it’s your day, sometimes it’s not, but luckily these days it’s my day,” he told Sky Sports. “I’m really confident and I’m enjoying my football. But it’s not just me, it’s the team.”
The defeat was a further blow for United, who sit seventh in the table having won just two of their last eight games.
However, coach Ruben Amorim believes his team is moving in the right direction.
“I think we’re improving…I think we deserved more today, but it’s not like the better team won,” he said.
Cunha scored a goal from a narrow angle in the third minute of first-half stoppage time, tying the score at 1-1. There was a chance they could have equalized again after the break, but they missed a great chance with a header from in front of the goal.
“We were really unlucky today,” Amorim added.
Another setback for United: Bruno Fernandes injurywas substituted at half-time after being pulled up late in the first half.
“I think it’s soft tissue, so it’s going to take some time. Let’s wait and see,” Amorim said.
United were already without Koby Mainu due to a calf injury and Casemiro’s suspension. Brian Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Nousser Mazrawi were also absent due to the match. africa cup of nations.
In their absence, academy graduates Jack Fletcher and Shay Lacey came on in the second half to make their Premier League debuts. Fletcher is the son of former United midfielder Darren Fletcher. They became the first father and son to play for United in the Premier League.
“We face so many challenges this year, especially at this time of year, and we have to deal with them,” Amorim said.
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James Robson is https://x.com/James Saran Robson
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