Unai Emery praised Morgan Rogers after his outstanding double led Aston Villa to a 2-1 victory over Manchester United, extending their winning streak to ten matches.
The 23-year-old followed up last week’s impressive brace against West Ham with another stellar performance, helping Villa recover after Matheus Cunha equalized temporarily.
This win marks Villa’s tenth consecutive victory across all competitions and their seventh straight in the Premier League, placing them third in the standings—only three points behind leaders Arsenal as they head into Christmas.
“The result was fantastic, which is the most important thing,” Emery said. “Our competition was exceptional, especially as Manchester United presented us with a strong challenge. We competed excellently, enduring a tough match while showcasing our qualities throughout 90 minutes with different players.”
“Emiliano Martinez made several crucial saves, and Morgan Rogers played brilliantly, not only scoring goals but also fulfilling his tactical role excellently,” Emery added.
Aston Villa will close out 2025 with challenging matches against Chelsea and Arsenal, where England international Rogers is expected to be a pivotal player.
“We require contributions from all our players, and Morgan Rogers has been exceptional lately. Although he started the season without scoring, he was still performing well,” Emery reflected. “His consistency, commitment, and attitude in each game have been outstanding. Today, his contributions included goals, making him a key figure.”
“I’m thrilled with him; he’s a fighter and a genuinely great person. His dedication to Aston Villa is immense, and his daily attitude is fantastic. We’re especially proud of his performance today.”
Manchester United will face Newcastle at home on Boxing Day, with Ruben Amorim likely missing Kobbie Mainoo and captain Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes limped off during the match, but Amorim was encouraged by the performance of his team both before and after his exit.
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“I believe we performed well today, and I thought we were the better side,” Amorim stated. “In the early parts of the match, we created numerous chances.”
“Our play has been consistent, and we’re effective in creating opportunities. We defend well, often leaving it to one-on-one encounters, especially when Martinez had the ball. Our recovery has been quick.”
“Despite our good performance, there’s still a sense of frustration, so we need to focus on the positives as we prepare for the next match.”