This could be the day Aston Villa finally laid their Manchester United hoodoo to rest. A hard-fought 2-1 victory at Villa Park, powered by a magnificent Morgan Rogers double, secured a tenth straight Premier League win and signalled a monumental shift in mentality for Unai Emery's resurgent side.
Exorcising the Ghosts of Old Trafford
The shadow of last season's final day has loomed large over Villa Park. A 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford in May 2023 cost Aston Villa a place in the Champions League, triggering a cascade of doubt. The controversial circumstances – Emi Martinez's red card and a disallowed Morgan Rogers goal – plunged the club into a difficult summer hampered by financial restrictions and frustrated players.
The hangover extended into the new campaign, with Villa failing to score in the league until mid-September. A top-half finish seemed a distant hope, let alone a return to the Champions League conversation. Yet, Emery's squad has staged a remarkable revival, with this symbolic victory over United marking their most significant psychological hurdle cleared.
Rogers' Brilliance and a Fragile United
Despite their imperious form, Villa made hard work of this historic win. This was only their second league victory over Manchester United in 27 home meetings, the last being Emery's first game in charge in November 2022. The manager's surprisingly reverential programme notes, describing United as "one of the biggest clubs and one of the most talented squads," hinted at a lingering inferiority complex.
Villa started brightly but faded, opting for a cautious approach rather than the full-throttle style that downed Manchester City and Arsenal. They were laboured in possession and reliant on long balls. The game required a moment of individual magic, and Morgan Rogers provided it with a sumptuous curling opener.
A defensive lapse allowed Matheus Cunha to equalise for United, but Rogers was not done. The England starlet produced another fabulous, arcing finish early in the second half to secure the three points. Villa rode their luck, with Bruno Fernandes going off injured at half-time and the team looking weary late on, but the result was all that mattered.
Champions League Horizon and a World Cup Star
The victory carries immense practical weight. Aston Villa now sit 10 points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham and have a nine-point buffer to sixth, with fifth place likely to secure Champions League football next season. This tangible progress allows the club to finally move on from the trauma of Old Trafford last May.
Central to this success is the meteoric rise of Morgan Rogers. His performance strengthens his compelling case to be England's starting No. 10 at next year's World Cup in Dallas. England manager Thomas Tuchel is a known admirer and values Rogers' tactical intelligence and versatility across the front line.
Villa's decision to demand a fee in excess of £100 million for Rogers last summer now looks prescient. Co-owner Nassef Sawiris's valuation, once questioned, could rise substantially if his current form continues. With demanding fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal looming, Villa's resilience will be tested, but the belief from beating United could be the catalyst for a truly historic season.
