Aston Villa’s remarkable rise under Unai Emery shows no signs of slowing. On Sunday, they claimed their seventh consecutive Premier League victory—and their 10th in all competitions—by beating Manchester United 2-1 at a raucous Villa Park. The question now is unavoidable: are Villa serious contenders for the title?
The win keeps Emery’s side firmly in third place, just one point behind Manchester City and three adrift of leaders Arsenal. For a club that hasn’t been in this conversation for decades, the transformation is staggering.
“I am very happy,” Emery said post-match. “Our supporters should be proud of everything we are doing together. How they are helping us make Villa Park feel like a fortress is fantastic.
“Sometimes we can’t dominate and we have to be more resilient. We needed that today. Overall, we must be proud of everything we are doing. Those three points give us some advantage, but there is still plenty of work to do.”
The top three continue picking up HUGE wins 👏 pic.twitter.com/h0OiAq37EZ
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 21, 2025
Villa have now won 10 straight matches as a top-flight side for the first time since March 1914—a run that ended at 11. In the Premier League era, only in 2023-24 (39 points) will they have had more points on Christmas Day than this season’s tally of 36.
Rogers the Hero
Morgan Rogers was the difference-maker. His first goal came on the stroke of half-time, a brilliant solo effort after keeping the ball in play on the left touchline before cutting inside and rifling into the top corner.
United hit back almost immediately. Matty Cash was dispossessed high up the pitch by Patrick Dorgu, who fed Matheus Cunha to level at 45+3 minutes.
But Rogers wasn’t done. In the 57th minute, Youri Tielemans’s cross caused chaos, Ollie Watkins disrupted the clearance, and Rogers pounced—coolly slotting into the far corner for his second.
The 21-year-old is the first Villa player to score two or more goals in back-to-back Premier League appearances since Dion Dublin in November 1998.
0.05xg pic.twitter.com/kZPrkblCWx
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 21, 2025
United’s Woes Deepen
Defeat was compounded by injury concerns for United. Captain Bruno Fernandes was forced off at half-time with a muscle problem and could miss several games. “I don’t know for sure,” said head coach Amorim. “He’s a guy who is always fit and recovers quickly, but I think he will lose some games.”
United were already without Kobbie Mainoo, who picked up a knock in training, though Casemiro will return from suspension for their next fixture.
The Reds face Newcastle at Old Trafford on Friday before hosting Wolves on December 30—a crucial period as they try to salvage a faltering campaign.
Unai Emery LOVED Morgan Rogers’ winner v Man Utd! 😅 @AVFCOfficial pic.twitter.com/MpUJbaJHm6
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 21, 2025
