Morgan Rogers bagged a sublime brace to spearhead Aston Villa to a 2-1 win over Manchester United, to move three points off top in the Premier League.
Despite entering the game on a nine-match winning streak, Villa started the match slowly, and United grew into the game as the first half wore on.
Benjamin Sesko had two half chances to give the visitors the lead, who were looking to close in on the Champions League spots, but was denied by Emi Martinez on his injury return.
It took a moment of magic to break the deadlock, just before the break.
Rogers cut inside from the left flank and curled an effort into the top corner from the corner of the box, well beyond a helpless Senne Lammens.
But United bit back immediately, when Matheus Cunha pounced on an error from Matty Cash to slot past Martinez.
Late on in the first half, Bruno Fernandes appeared to suffer a hamstring injury and was replaced at the break, as United’s midfield got stretched even more thinly.
However, ten minutes into the second half, Rogers retook the lead for Villa, gathering the ball just inside the area after Ollie Watkins held it up well.
Rogers took two touches to steady himself before curling past Lammens again, though this time the Belgian keeper would feel he could have got a hand to it.
United dominated the ball for much of the second half but did not create many chances, coming closest when Cunha put a free header wide from six yards out.
The win means Unai Emery’s side spend Christmas just three points behind Arsenal at the top, while United miss out on the chance to go fifth and remain seventh, three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
Villa have two crucial trips to London coming up over the festive period, taking on Chelsea then Arsenal, while United stay home to host mid-table Newcastle and winless Wolves.
