Aston Villla seal 10th straight win

 

 

 

(AP) MORGAN Rogers scored two brilliant solo goals to down Manchester United2-1and keep Aston Villain the hunt for the Premier League title. The win at Villa Park on Sunday was a 10th straight victory in all competitions for Unai Emery’s team, who are third in the standings and three points off leader Arsenal. Rogers whipped two curlings hots into the top corner-eithers ide of Matheus Cunha’s goal for United. Them id fielder fired Villain front in the 45th minute when cutting in from the left. His second came in the 57th-again curling the ball beyond the dive of United goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The win maintains Villa’s out standing run, who have seen them win 11 of their last 12 games in the league.

 

“Our supporters should be proud of everything we are doing together, ”Emery said. Wins on Saturday for Arsena land second-placed Manchester City saw the top two pull away.But Villa’s latest victory was another show of their title credentials since recovering from ade sperate start to the season. Villa’s emergence as a surprisecontendercomesafter they lost two of their first three games and were win less in five.Now they are unbeatenin19gamesinallcompe titions,with16winsduringthatrun. It was Rogers’ second double in as many games after scoring twice in lastweek’s3-2 win at West Ham. “Sometimes it’s your day,some time sit isn’t,and luckily l ate l yit’s been my day,” he told Sky Sports.“I’m feeling really confident and enjoy my football, but it’s not just me,it’s the team.”Defeat was another blow for United, who are seventh in the standings after winning just two of their last eight games.

 

But coach Ruben Amorim believes his team is heading in the right direction. “I think we are improving...I think we deserve so much more today, but the better team didn’t win,”he said. Cunhaleveledthegameat1-1by scoring from a tight angle in the third minute of added time in the first half. He could have equalised again after the break but blew a golden chance when heading wide from infront of the goal. “We were really unlucky today,” Amori madded. Another setback for United was an injury for Bruno Fernandes ,whow as substituted at half-time after pulling up late in the first half. “I think it’s soft tissues, soit’s going to take a while. We’ll see,”Amorim said.United were already without Kobbie Mainoo due to a calf injury and the suspended Casemiro.Bryan Mbeumo,Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui were also missing because they are playing in the Africa Cup of Nations. In their absence,academy graduates Jack Fletcher and She a Lacey came on for their Premier League debuts in the second half.