Premier League result, player ratings and report after Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester United.

Morgan Rogers’ second brace in as many matches inspired Aston Villa to a 2-1 victory over Manchester United, a tenth win in a row a satisfying early Christmas present for the Villa Park faithful. The Villans will spend Christmas Day in third spot and seven points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea, who they face next, thanks to Rogers’ excellence.

It was a frantic game from the beginning as both sides missed chances early doors. Matheus Cunha fizzed wide just three minutes in, before the hosts returned serve. Senne Lammens was called into action to make a sublime double save to deny John McGinn and Ollie Watkins, before Rogers’ cheeky flick from a driven Ian Maatsen effort bobbled narrowly wide.

Rogers roared Villa Park into life with an outstanding goal on the stroke of half time, a sumptuous strike into the far top corner from just inside the area. Villa’s number 27 had an awkward first touch initially but recycled possession on the touchline, cut inside to beat several United defenders and whipped in a beauty.

But the joy was short-lived as Cunha thumped United level merely three minutes later. It was a moment Matty Cash won’t want to see again as the right-back was dispossessed cheaply by Patrick Dorgu, who fed Cunha to fire home past Emi Martinez.

Rogers netted his second - turning out to be the winner - in the 58th minute, another curler from a similar area to give Lammens no chance. United cleared Youri Tielemans’ low cross straight into Rogers’ path and it was a brilliant finish to make it 2-1. Emery, in awe of Rogers’ technique, celebrated by tearing off his jacket and throwing it aloft.

Cunha should have scored a second of his own to level up the scoring again as he met Dorgu’s cross, but the Brazilian headed the ball into the ground and wide of the post. That was United’s only real chance to get back into the encounter as Villa saw out the 2-1 scoreline to make it 11 wins in their last 12 Premier League matches.

Goalkeeper and defence ratings

Emiliano Martinez: Had a concussion scare midway through the first half as he was accidentally clattered into by Cash, but was able to carry on. Couldn’t do much about Cunha’s goal, with the blame heading Cash’s way. Made routine saves to deny Cunha, Dalot and Fletcher, and a great one-on-one stop from Sesko. Looked comfortable dealing with set pieces as he made a host of claims. 8

Matty Cash: Had a mare for United’s equaliser as he was caught dawdling on the ball by Dorgu, who assisted Cunha. Cash also struggled to pick out his passes at other points, causing unnecessary turnovers. He did redeem himself a little with a great block to deny Dorgu in the second half, but not enough. 4

Ezri Konsa: Did well to keep Sesko at bay and was comfortable when Zirkzee came on. Made a big block to stop a goal-bound Fernandes strike in the first half. 7

Victor Lindelof: It could have been forgotten at times that Lindelof was playing, and that in itself may be a good thing. The Swede looked comfortable as an auxiliary left centre-half again in Pau Torres’ absence. Apart from one poor foul on Cunha, it was a decent enough night to mark his 200th Premier League appearance. 6

Ian Maatsen (off 75’): Made so many important interceptions when United searched for Dalot out wide. Left Dalot vacant a lot to tempt United into those passes before anticipating them. Completed a few decent passes in the final third. 7

Midfield and attack ratings

Boubacar Kamara (off 88’): Had a scrappier game than he would’ve liked as he won just five of his 14 ground duels. Kamara did win a couple of great sliding tackles but he struggled to assert any proper control in midfield. 5

Amadou Onana (off 84’): Unlike Kamara, Onana came out on top more often than not. The Belgian was pretty dominant physically and he left one on Fernandes in the first half to slow the United captain’s progress. Tonight marked Onana’s 50th Villa appearance. 7

John McGinn (off 84’): Played the searching long pass in the lead-up to Rogers’ first goal, earning him the assist. McGinn impressed with his trademark half-turns to cause United all sorts of problems on the transition. He also worked hard to regain possession as much as possible. 8

Morgan Rogers: Thumped in a goal of the season contender to open the scoring and netted the winner with a similar strike, albeit slightly less impressive than the first. Rogers deserved his brace as he was Villa’s livewire throughout. He could have had a hat-trick, too, had his flairful flick early on nestled into the corner. 9*

Youri Tielemans: In an advanced role just off Watkins, Tielemans kickstarted a couple of dangerous counter-attacks with well-timed tackles and through balls. Some of his passes were a little wayward, however, as United’s back three worked hard to intercept. 7

Ollie Watkins (off 75’): Really struggled to make an impact up top as he was often outmuscled by Heaven. Wasted a good early chance when he chopped inside and was read like a book by the United number 26. Just as Watkins thought he was in midway through the second period, he saw the offside flag. Assisted Rogers’ second goal as he got ahead of his man to poke the ball. 5