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Superb Rogers double sinks Man Utd as Villa show title credentials

Superb Rogers double sinks Man Utd as Villa show title credentials

Can Morgan Rogers propel Aston Villa to the Premier League title? Two more fine goals from the 23-year-old – the first was simply magnificent – lifted the curse at home to Manchester United and lifted Villa back to within three points of league leaders, Arsenal who they face at the Emirates on December 30.

Morgan Rogers celebrates his second goal
Morgan Rogers celebrates his second goal - Shutterstock/Tim Keeton
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Can Morgan Rogers propel Aston Villa to the Premier League title? Two more fine goals from the 23-year-old – the first was simply magnificent – lifted the curse at home to Manchester United and lifted Villa back to within three points of league leaders, Arsenal who they face at the Emirates on December 30.

Unai Emery’s side did not play anywhere near as well as they did in beating both Arsenal and Manchester City at Villa Park but they exorcised a sequence which has seen them, incredibly, gain just one victory against United in 26 home games.

Not that this is the same United. They were there for the taking, through injuries and absences, ending with a midfield pairing of 18-year-old Jack Fletcher (the son of Darren) on his league debut and centre-half Lisandro Martinez after Bruno Fernandes limped off with an apparent hamstring injury at half-time. United cannot afford to lose their captain.

Not that this makeshift United played badly and Matheus Cunha, who had cancelled out Rogers’s first goal with an accomplished finish of his own, should have drawn them level again only to fluff a close-range header. He had to score.

The winning goal owed much to Rogers’s sharpness as he reacted far quicker to reach a loose ball than Leny Yoro – who struggled throughout – to bend it around goalkeeper Senne Lammens. On the touchline Emery ripped off his coat and threw it in the air in celebration.

But the talk with be of Rogers’s first as he acrobatically brought down a John McGinn pass out to the wing, cut inside, with Yoro at fault as he failed to close him down, and beat Semmens with a sumptuous curling right-footed shot.

It was a wonderful take and it helped Villa on their way to a 10th straight win in all competitions and provided further compelling evidence not just that they can be in this title race – trying to win the league for the first time since 1981 – but of Rogers’s burgeoning reputation.

Not least as a probable starter for England at next summer’s World Cup. The expectation is that he is up against his friend Jude Bellingham for the No 10 role – and that is where Thomas Tuchel has suggested he wants to play him.

What has been a little lost in the debate, however, is that Rogers can also be effective on the left where he is now playing for Villa, with licence to cut inside. What about a three of Bukayo Saka, Bellingham and Rogers behind Harry Kane come the World Cup?

Full report to follow...

07:06pm

10 straight wins in all competitions

07:00pm

Post-match thoughts of Ruben Amorim

“I think everyone say that we were the better team today. We were unlucky, even with the injury of Bruno [Fernandes], but during the game even without him we were the better team. We blocked the transitions quite well and they did really well. We did a very good job that no-one is going to remember tomorrow because what matters is the result. We already knew that Aston Villa play with everybody inside and we needed to overload that situation. We have been training like that. We have different options, we can use different starting elevens depending on the game, so we are improving. Again I think we deserved so much more today but the better team did not win.”

On Bruno Fernandes’ injury:

“It is really strange. During this year, especially at this time, we have so many problems, but we have to cope with that. I think [Jack] Fletcher did his first game, so that is good news, [Shea] Lacey the same, so we will try to find solutions and go for the next game. I am a manager for six years and even Sporting is all about the academy, so it is about the history. Every manager wants to bring players through from the academy and not spend money because this gives value to the manager. I just want to win and want to be certain that the players that come in from the academy are not going to suffer too much. I am just trying to help the club, it does not matter if it is from the academy or abroad. I think it is soft tissue [Fernandes injury] so it is going to take a while. We will see.”

06:54pm

Diogo Dalot speaking to Sky Sports

“We had really good moments during the game and pressed them high. We could have been a bit more direct in the second half. We knew they could try to find Morgan Rogers in the wide areas and we could have avoided those moments. We created enough to score more goals today. We do not know how bad it is [Bruno Fernandes’ injury]. Hopefully it is not too bad. Opportunities come for players and everyone has to step up. That is the way the players have to look at it.”

06:45pm

Paul Merson on Sky Sports

“Teams win Premier Leagues, but you have to have X-factors in your teams because sometimes the team does not work as a team and you have those off days, then you need your X-factors and game changers and they win you games out of absolutely nothing. And that is what [Morgan] Rogers is at the moment, he has been absolutely outstanding the last 10 games or so. They were not outstanding, but they had a game changer.”

06:41pm

Rich vein of form

06:39pm

Rogers at the double

06:38pm

Post-match thoughts of Morgan Rogers

06:35pm

Manchester United’s next five matches

December 26: Manchester United vs Newcastle
December 30: Manchester United vs Wolves
January 4: Leeds vs Manchester United
January 7: Burnley vs Manchester United
January 11: Manchester United vs Brighton (FA Cup)

06:33pm

Aston Villa’s next five games

December 27: Chelsea vs Aston Villa
December 30: Arsenal vs Aston Villa
January 3: Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest
January 7: Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
January 10: Tottenham vs Aston Villa (FA Cup)

06:32pm

Roy Keane on Sky Sports

“Aston Villa did not have to play particularly well today, two moments of magic from Morgan Rogers, but as much as you could say Man Utd played well, you always felt Villa had something. 

“They have that confidence and belief to win a game without playing great. That is a good sign and credit to Villa, they are flying, they are enjoying it, and now there is a big week coming up.”

06:30pm

This weekend’s Premier League fixtures

Saturday:
Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
Bournemouth 1 Burnley 1
Brighton 0 Sunderland 0
Manchester City 3 West Ham 0
Wolves 0 Brentford 2
Tottenham 1 Liverpool 2
Everton 0 Arsenal 1
Leeds 4 Crystal Palace 1

Today:
Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

Monday:
Fulham vs Nottingham Forest (8pm)

06:29pm

FT stats

Possession: Aston Villa 43%-57% Manchester United
Shots: 12-15
Shots on target: 4-6
Corners: 5-5
Touches in opposition box: 19-33

06:27pm

Full time

Aston Villa see it out and claim all three points. Rogers’ double is the difference and they head into Christmas three points off leaders Arsenal.

06:26pm

90+3 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

Into the final added minute we go and the home fans are trying to will their side home to all three points.

06:25pm

90+2 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

Dorgu is brought down by Bogarde just outside the Villa box out on the left side and Bogarde is booked.

Mount takes and he is not far off but he hits the top of the net.

06:24pm

90+1 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

Time is running out Manchester United to find an equaliser and Ruben Amorim would be pretty disappointed to come away from this game with nothing.

Tielemans has gone down clutching at his side but he has no choice but to get up as Villa have no more subs available.

06:23pm

90 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

18-year-old Lacey shoots off his preferred left foot from outside the box and strikes it well but it is straight down the throat of Martinez.

There will be four added minutes.

06:20pm

87 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

One final change for Villa sees Bogarde come on for Kamara.

06:18pm

85 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

Rogers’ eyes light up at the possibility of a hat-trick but his shot from the edge of the box is blocked by Shaw. There are appeals for handball but that is not going to be given.

06:16pm

84 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

Changes for both sides. For Aston Villa, it is a double change as Buendia and Guessand replace Onana and McGinn. This is Guessand’s final appearance before heading off to Afcon with Ivory Coast.

For Manchester United, 18-year-old Lacey replaces Yoro.

06:14pm

80 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

VAR does take a look at a possible handball from Onana after Heaven’s flick-on from a long throw but it is cleared.

Moments later there is another VAR check inside the Villa box for a handball, possibly two, but again those incidents are cleared. The ball did strike the arms of Tielemans and Lindelof in quick succession but they were no intentional and the ball was ricocheting around.

06:10pm

77 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

When you look at the stats, they are pretty even and Ruben Amorim will be disappointed that his side are behind. You still feel though there are plenty chances left and the goals will not have stopped quite yet.

06:07pm

75 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

Double change for the hosts as Digne and Malen replace Maatsen and Watkins.

06:07pm

74 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

Former Manchester United defender Lindelof catches Cunha and the visitors will have a free-kick not far outside the Villa box. Lindelof protests but it was a clear foul.

Mount clips in the free-kick but it is a waste as it is over everyone, going behind for a goal-kick.

06:05pm

72 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

Ruben Amorim is going to make a double change as Zirkzee and 18-year-old Jack Fletcher, son of Darren, replace Ugarte and Sesko. No surprise to see Ugarte go off on a yellow card and Sesko should really have scored in the first half.

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“If Fletcher scores, we’re on the pitch.”

Jack Fletcher, the son of former Manchester United midfielder Darren, is on for his debut. Nice moment for the family.

Dad Darren is now United’s under-18s lead coach.

06:04pm

71 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

Dalot is booked for a high boot on Maatsen.

06:01pm

68 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

Ugarte is into the book for a foul on Kamara. Manchester United have lost the last six league games that Ugarte has started.

06:00pmKey moments

67 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

Manchester United should be level. How has Cunha missed that? It is a sitter as Dorgu clips in a cross from the left to put it on a plate for Cunha from six yards out. It is harder to miss than score but somehow Cunha heads wide. Cunha should have joined Rogers in getting a double this afternoon.

Matheus Cunha heads wide from close range
Huge opportunity wasted by Matheus Cunha - David Klein/Reuters
05:58pm

66 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

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Worth remembering that Morgan Rogers cost only £8m from Middlesbrough.

That transfer fee now looks an absolute bargain. He will be worth ten times that now.

05:57pm

64 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

Cunha slides in to dispossess McGinn on the right side of the box but he cannot prevent the ball from rolling behind for a corner. It is a pre-planned routine from the corner as the ball is rolled into the path of Rogers, who hits it first time near the edge of the box but his shot is blocked.

05:54pmAnalysis

61 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

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Unai Emery threw his big coat into the air in celebration at that goal.

He did similar in Villa’s recent thriller at Brighton. Are Villa heading for a tenth straight win in all competitions?

Unai Emery throws his coat in celebration at Aston Villa's second goal
Unai Emery is happy! - Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
05:52pm

59 mins: Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1

Manchester United nearly get back on level terms like they did in the first half as Dalot’s shot from the edge of the box is saved well by Martinez down to his right before Cash blocks a shot from Dorgu.

05:50pmKey moments • Goals • Video

GOAL! Rogers at the double

He scored one great goal in the first half and he now has another in the second. Manchester United fail to clear a cross from Tielemans and the ball comes to Rogers on the left side of the box, who takes a couple of touches before curling one into the far corner. Unai Emery whips off his coat in celebration.

05:49pm

57 mins: Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1

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Villa could obviously still win this game, but this is a very different performance to the ones which ended in recent victories over Manchester City and Arsenal.

In those two matches Villa were on the front foot and attack-minded whereas here they are being more cautious.

Could Ruben Amorim’s formation have caught the home team out?

05:48pm

56 mins: Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1

With Fernandes off injured and potentially ruled out for a period, more of a focus and emphasis will fall upon Mount’s shoulders. And with Mbeumo and Amad at Afcon, Mount’s role for Manchester United in the coming weeks could be very important.

Martinez steals possession off Kamara inside the Villa half and decides to shoot from range but his effort goes wide of Martinez’s right post.

05:46pm

53 mins: Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1

After Dalot wins possession high up the pitch by taking the ball off Maatsen, Sesko then wins the visitors a corner out on the right. Manchester United scored a goal in the first half after stealing possession from one of the hosts’ full-backs. Aston Villa fail to properly clear their lines and the ball eventually ends up with Mount on the edge of the box. Mount drags his shot wide of Martinez’s left post.

05:42pm

49 mins: Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1

Mount drives forward towards the Aston Villa box and spots the run of Sesko. Mount plays a nice ball across but it is just too far in front of the Slovenian striker. A nice idea from Mount but the cross was slightly overhit.

05:39pmVideo

46 mins: Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1

Gary Neville has said on Sky Sports that he thinks Zirkzee should have come on instead of Martinez, who has barely featured this season due to injury. Fernandes has his coat on as he re-emerges from the tunnel moving gingerly.

05:38pm

Second half

We are back under way at Villa Park. Manchester United have made a change at the break as their captain Fernandes is unable to continue. Interestingly a centre-back is coming on in the form of Martinez, who has played a bit of midfield in his Ajax days but is a centre-half by trade.

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Bruno Fernandes has not made it out for the second half.

Lisandro Martinez is coming on, so the question is whether he plays in midfield or United switch to four at the back?

A chance now for Mason Mount to continue his recent resurgence in the absence of United’s captain.

05:29pm

HT stats

Possession: Aston Villa 40%-60% Manchester United
Shots: 7-5
Shots on target: 3-3
Corners: 3-2
Touches in opposition box: 8-16

05:25pm

Will Manchester United’s captain come out after half-time?

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Brilliant finish by Matheus Cunha but important not to miss the contribution made by Patrick Dorgu.

It was Dorgu who forced Matty Cash into the mistake on the edge of Villa’s penalty area and United are now back in this contest before the break.

Very evenly balanced here, and let’s see if Fernandes comes out for the second half.

05:21pm

Half-time

That is it for the first half and those two quick goals on the stroke of half-time mean we are level at 1-1 at the break. Probably a fair scoreline based on the first half.

05:19pmKey moments • Goals • Video

GOAL! Cunha equalises for the visitors after Cash error

Just a few minutes after Villa had taken the lead, Manchester United are level on the stroke of half-time. It is a gift from Villa as Cash dithers on the ball for too long and is dispossessed by Dorgu. The ball comes to Cunha, who is on the left side of the box and curls past Martinez into the far corner. 1-1.

05:18pmAnalysis • Video

45+2 mins: Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 0

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Stunning goal by Rogers and he always looked like the Villa player capable of making the difference.

The way he glided into the penalty area past Leny Yoro was just sublime.

On another note, it will be interesting to see if Bruno Fernandes comes out for the second half. He does not look comfortable at the moment.

05:17pm

45 mins: Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 0

Four added minutes at the end of this first half.

05:16pmKey moments • Goals • Video

GOAL! Rogers stunner puts Aston Villa ahead

The deadlock at Villa Park is broken and what a way to do it! I had said Rogers has scored some stunning goals this season and you can add another to the collection. Rogers keeps it just in play out on the left touchline and cuts inside Yoro. He drives inside into the penalty area and lines up the far corner. Rogers curls it sublimely right into the top corner and Lammens can only watch it sail into the net. The ref cam gives a perfect view of that fine finish.

05:14pm

42 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

A few minutes ago, Fernandes looked like he may have to go off but now he has a shot blocked by Konsa from the edge of the box. Fernandes has gestured towards the Manchester United bench that he may need to come off. This is very strange as surely if Fernandes is injured, Ruben Amorim should be taking him off.

05:12pm

40 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

This is concerning for Manchester United as their captain Fernandes is clutching at his hamstring. He did suddenly stop and it appeared initially that he would have to go off but he is going to continue. A strange situation; either it was something of nothing or Fernandes is risking further damage.

05:08pm

37 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

Tielemans lines one up from range but it goes wide of Lammens’ left post.

05:07pm

36 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

Manchester United are dominating the top five in touches so far in this game, with only keeper Martinez in the top five for Villa. Ruben Amorim will be satisfied with how his side have begun.

05:05pm

34 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

Cunha strikes from range and hits it well but it is straight at Martinez, who makes the save. The Brazilian can strike them and the connection was pretty decent but needed to be placed a bit better.

Matheus Cunha shoots from range
Still awaiting the first goal at Villa Park - Jacob King/PA
05:04pm

33 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

Rogers, who has scored some worldies this season, receives the ball out on the left and cuts inside. He keeps driving inside and gets to the edge of the box, when he decides to shoot, but the contact is not the best and is easily saved by Lammens.

05:03pmAnalysis

32 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

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United appear to have weathered the storm here and have managed to take a degree of control.

Benjamin Sesko has had two chances to score, while Matheus Cunha’s movement is causing Villa some problems.

That £50m fee for Manuel Ugarte looks a bit steep though, doesn’t it? Fair to say he’s struggling again.

05:01pm

30 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

One omen not on Manchester United’s side today is that they have lost the last six league games that Ugarte has started. However they have settled into this game and you would say proceedings are fairly even right now.

04:56pm

25 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

Martinez got Cash’s knee smashing into his head. The Villa keeper has to go through some concussion checks in order to continue. He says he is ok but the medics do not necessarily look overly convinced. However Martinez is going to continue for now.

04:55pm

23 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

Another chance for Sesko in quick succession. Cunha feeds a clever ball through to Sesko inside the Villa box and Sesko attempts to take the ball around Martinez but the touch is too heavy and the chance is gone. Martinez ends up sliding into his own teammate Cash so some treatment is needed.

04:54pm

22 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

Big chance for Sesko, who should put Manchester United ahead. Fernandes’ ball in behind was aiming for Mount but Konsa fails to deal with it. The ball ends up with Sesko on the right side of the box and the Slovenian striker should bury this opportunity but hits it at Martinez. A good save from the Villa kepper but Sesko should be scoring there.

04:49pm

18 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

Ruben Amorim has got a diamond three in the middle of the park with Ugarte, Fernandes and Mount. Dalot and Dorgu are the wing-backs providing the only real width for the visitors whilst Cunha and Sesko have free roles up top.

Amorim would not be drawn in his pre-match interview as to whether Mainoo would have started if he had not picked up a calf injury in training yesterday.

04:45pm

14 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

Former Man United man Lindelof plays a delightful ball over the top and in behind to pick out the run of Watkins but Heaven, who has made a decent start to this match, does well to intercept and put it behind for a Villa corner.

The first comes short to McGinn and Villa then win another corner, which is headed away by Fernandes at the front post.

04:42pm

11 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

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Villa Park is a wonderful old stadium and it seems to shake on evenings like this.

Morgan Rogers is at the heart of all Villa’s threatening moments and continues to get better and better.

Thomas Tuchel is a huge fan, and Rogers must have a strong chance of starting for England at the World Cup.

04:40pmKey moments

8 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

Villa come close twice to taking the lead. Ugarte dithers on the ball in the centre of the pitch and is dispossessed. Onana drives forward through the Man United half and feeds the ball to his right into the feet of McGinn, who opens up his body and hits it first time. Lammens pulls off a good save before Watkins has a shot blocked by Heaven.

From the resulting corner, the ball comes all the way beyond the far post, where Maatsen drives it back across goal and Rogers flicks it on cleverly but it goes inches wide.

Morgan Rogers' flick goes just wide
So close to the opening goal for the hosts - Jacob King/PA
04:36pm

4 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

That is really good defending from Heaven but did Watkins take too long? Rogers feeds the ball forward to Watkins, who looked to be getting the better of Yoro. When Watkins gets to the penalty area, he cuts inside Yoro and looks to get his shot away but Heaven comes in with a crucial interception. Could Watkins have got a shot away sooner?

04:34pmKey moments

3 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

Cunha is inches wide from giving Manchester United the perfect start. Mount’s ball forward looking for Sesko is blocked and the ball rolls into the path of Cunha 20 yards out. The Brazilian hits it first time and when he hit it the ball looked like it would curl into the corner but it goes inches wide.

04:33pm

2 mins: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

Manchester United have an early free-kick that Fernandes can send into the Aston Villa box. United have scored the joint-most set-piece goals this season thus far but Fernandes wastes it with a poor delivery that is cleared by the front man.

04:32pmAnalysis

1 min: Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0

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Emiliano Martinez owes Aston Villa a decent performance today.

On deadline day he was waiting for a call from Manchester United that never came, which left him in an uncomfortable position with his team-mates.

He lost the vice-captaincy as a result, but there is still no doubting his enduring qualities as a goalkeeper.

While the World’s Number 1 might be stretching it, he remains one of the Premier League’s best No. 1s.

United ended up signing Senne Lammens who has experienced a rather mixed start at Old Trafford.

04:31pm

Kick-off

We are under way at Villa Park. Will Villa go within three points of leaders Arsenal or can Manchester United go level on points with fourth-place Chelsea?

04:26pmVideo

Nearly ready for action

Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at Villa Park. Villa captain John McGinn walks out with Ozzy Osborne’s three-year-old grandson Sidney in his arms whilst Ozzy’s hit Crazy Train rings around the ground. Here is a reminder of the teams:

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Lindelöf, Konsa, Maatsen, Kamara, Onana, McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers, Watkins.

Substitutes: Bizot, Digne, García, Malen, Routh, Bogarde, Guessand, Hemmings, Buendía.

Manchester United: Lammens, Yoro, Heaven, Shaw, Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu, Cunha, Mount, Sesko

Substitutes: Bayindir, Heaton, Fredricson, Malacia, Martinez, J. Fletcher, Lacey, Mantato, Zirkzee.

04:23pm

Paul Merson on Morgan Rogers

04:21pm

Pre-match thoughts of Unai Emery

04:19pm

Enjoyable trips to Villa for Manchester United

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Sir Alex Ferguson insists it could be at least another decade until Manchester United win the title again.

Despite their struggles under a succession of managers, trips to Villa Park have proven rather memorable in recent years.

Indeed, Villa have won just one of their last 26 Premier League matches at home against United, with the only win coming in Emery’s first match in charge back in November 2022.

If Villa really are to cement their status as title contenders, they surely need to improve their home record against today’s opponents.

04:17pm

Roy Keane on Sky Sports

“I think at Man Utd, over the last year or two, there is a lot of noise. You saw these quotes, [Kobbie] Mainoo’s brother wearing a t-shirt last week. There is a bit of a circus at the club at the moment, but the key is for Bruno [Fernandes] and people like that to focus on the football.

“It is no big deal. He [Fernandes] is playing, he is a big player for Man Utd and has to keep doing the business. I have had my issues with him in terms of his leadership and what he does not do out of possession, but in possession he is as good as any player out there.”

04:14pm

Manchester United’s last five results (all Premier League)

Manchester United 4 Bournemouth 4
Wolves 1 Manchester United 4
Manchester United 1 West Ham 1
Crystal Palace 1 Manchester United 2
Manchester United 0 Everton 1

04:12pm

Aston Villa’s last five results

West Ham 2 Aston Villa 3 (Premier League)
Basel 1 Aston Villa 2 (Europa League)
Aston Villa 2 Arsenal 1 (Premier League)
Brighton 3 Aston Villa 4 (Premier League)
Aston Villa 1 Wolves 0 (Premier League)

04:10pm

Roy Keane and Ashley Young on Sky Sports

04:07pm

Are Aston Villa title contenders?

04:04pm

Ruben Amorim speaking to Sky Sports

04:02pm

The Manchester United formations Ruben Amorim must now consider

The loss of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo and, to a lesser extent, Noussair Mazraoui to the Africa Cup of Nations for the next few weeks was always going to force a change of some description for Manchester United.

Ruben Amorim has been wedded to his 3-4-2-1 system since taking charge at Old Trafford 13 months ago, but Monday’s thrilling game against Bournemouth was almost as notable for the manager’s use of a narrow back four as the eye-catching 4-4 scoreline.

It served notice of the changes Amorim had hinted at last Friday when he admitted United “need to adapt a little bit the way we are going to play the games because we cannot think we’re going to play the same way without Amad and Bryan”. “It’s a good opportunity for us to try to play in a different way,” the manager added.

03:59pm

Ruben Amorim goes to war with Manchester United’s ‘entitled’ young players

Ruben Amorim has gone to war with Manchester United’s young players over what he feels is a culture of “entitlement” at the club.

The United manager has told Kobbie Mainoo to ignore former players telling him to leave Old Trafford and instead fight for his place and prove he deserves to play.

And Amorim voiced his dismay at Harry Amass and Chido Obi posting passive aggressive pictures on Instagram after the academy graduates reacted badly to criticism from the manager.

In a no-holds-barred missive to United’s youngsters, Amorim said: “I think it is the feeling of entitlement that we have in our club.

“Sometimes strong words are not bad words. Sometimes difficult moments are not a bad thing for the kids. We don’t need to be always with accolades in everything, in every situation.

03:57pm

Ayden Heaven speaking pre-game

03:54pm

Former Villa boss in attendance

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Dean Smith is here at Villa Park and, as expected, is being warmly welcomed back by the home fans.

It was Smith who started Villa’s revival in 2019 by leading them out of the Championship, and then stabilising them in the Premier League.

Unai Emery has never lost sight of the impact made by Smith, who will probably never need to buy a beer in the Second City again.

03:50pm

Pre-match thoughts of Ezri Konsa

03:46pm

Manchester United could not give Unai Emery the total control he has at Aston Villa

Aston Villa believe they have their own version of Sir Alex Ferguson and had Manchester United wanted to try to clone their legendary manager, then they surely would have made a serious attempt to take Unai Emery to Old Trafford by now.

There are two key elements that put United off a move for Emery and would likely prove to be a major deterrent again if Ruben Amorim were to run out of time as head coach.

Control – the type of which Ferguson wielded at Old Trafford – and money meant that Emery was never seriously considered for the United job before Amorim was hired in November last year.

03:43pm

Hosts arriving

03:38pmKey moments

No Mainoo

There is no place in the Manchester United matchday squad for Kobbie Mainoo, who according to the club picked up a calf injury in training yesterday. This comes after Mainoo’s brother wore a t-shirt saying “Free Kobbie Mainoo” during Manchester United’s draw against Bournemouth. Our chief football writer Sam Wallace has taken a look at Manchester United’s “troubled youth”:

No mistaking the latest target of Ruben Amorim’s critique of the state of modern Manchester United – the club’s elite young players and their reaction to being criticised, and what that says about the next generation in general.

It is not a new issue at United, or indeed the other big clubs in the country. The question of a generation gone awry surfaces periodically at most clubs attempting to solve that age-old challenge of turning children into professional footballers. In the past 15 years, Premier League clubs have poured resources into the problem with some spectacular results, but as the wages and the transfer fees grow – and the profitability-and-sustainability-rules pure-profit sales kick in – so the stakes get ever higher.

03:32pm

Teams in full

Aston Villa make one change as Emiliano Martinez returns in goal in place of Marco Bizot. Evann Guessand has been called up by the Ivory Coast for Afcon and will depart after this game.

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Lindelöf, Konsa, Maatsen, Kamara, Onana, McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers, Watkins.

Substitutes: Bizot, Digne, García, Malen, Routh, Bogarde, Guessand, Hemmings, Buendía.

Patrick Dorgu, Benjamin Sesko and Manuel Ugarte all come in for Manchester United, with Bryan Mbeumo heading off to Afcon, whilst Casemiro is suspended. Kobbie Mainoo, around whom there has been plenty of noise this week, is not in the matchday squad, with Manchester United saying it is due to injury.

Manchester United: Lammens, Yoro, Heaven, Shaw, Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu, Cunha, Mount, Sesko

Substitutes: Bayindir, Heaton, Fredricson, Malacia, Martinez, J. Fletcher, Lacey, Mantato, Zirkzee.

03:28pm

Flashback to May: Manchester United 2 Aston Villa 0

On the final day of last season, Aston Villa headed to Old Trafford in contention to finish in the Champions League places. However, they had Emiliano Martinez sent off at the end of the first half before falling to a 2-0 defeat. The game was not without controversy though as Morgan Rogers had a goal controversially ruled out whilst the game was 0-0.

03:21pm

This weekend’s Premier League fixtures

Saturday:
Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
Bournemouth 1 Burnley 1
Brighton 0 Sunderland 0
Manchester City 3 West Ham 0
Wolves 0 Brentford 2
Tottenham 1 Liverpool 2
Everton 0 Arsenal 1
Leeds 4 Crystal Palace 1

Today:
Aston Villa vs Manchester United (4.30pm)

Monday:
Fulham vs Nottingham Forest (8pm)

03:16pmKey moments

Manchester United team

03:16pmKey moments

Aston Villa team

03:13pm

Team news incoming

We are about to find out the starting XIs at Villa Park. We know Manchester United will be forced into a few changes with Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo heading off to Afcon. Will Emiliano Martinez, who was linked with a move to Manchester United over the summer, return between the sticks for Aston Villa?

03:10pm

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03:04pm

“Kobbie needs to fight for his job,”

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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has told Kobbie Mainoo there is no shame in being on the bench at Old Trafford and urged the England midfielder to shut out the “nonsense and noise” over his future and fight for his place. Amorim pointed to how the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Juan Sebastian Veron all had to accept being a substitute at times during their United careers as he sought to remind Mainoo that the experience may serve him well down the line.

“Kobbie needs to fight for his job,” the United manager said. “I think that it’s not a bad thing to be on the bench of Manchester United when you are 20-years-old. I remember Ronaldo was on the bench, Rooney was on the bench sometimes, Veron was not playing. I’m not trying to say to Kobbie, ‘you are a big player here, let’s put him on the bench to show something’. No, what I’m saying is the opposite. I’m just not putting Kobbie in sometimes because I understand that this is not the right guy to start the game. Maybe the next game, Sunday, he is going to start. If he plays well, is going to show everyone ‘this guy cannot take me out of the team’, and I will be so happy.”

Mainoo’s half-brother Jordan Mainoo-Hames drew fresh attention to the player’s struggles when he wore a “Free Kobbie Mainoo” T-shirt during United’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on Monday. But Amorim is keen to move on from that episode. 

“I had the situation in Sporting Lisbon - my brother wrote something on the internet, and I have to answer for that,” he said. “My explanation is that he has his life, he has his opinion, and it’s nothing to do with me. So I will do the same with Kobbie. He’s responsible for his acts and his act was to play well in the last game, I’m just focused on that. So let’s continue in trying to avoid the nonsense and the noise. I just want to help the team to win and to help Kobbie to be a better player.”

02:59pmKey moments

Will Manchester United look to buy in January?

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The penultimate Premier League game before Christmas takes place at Villa Park as Aston Villa host Manchester United. Ahead of the game, Ruben Amorim said Manchester United will not be making panic buys in January - as he dropped the biggest hint yet of a move for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo. The United manager is in need of a new pedigree defensive midfielder but insists the club will only consider available signings that fit into their long-term vision next month. And that prompted Amorim to admit United may pursue a player who does not necessarily play in a position requiring more urgent attention but who may be attainable in the winter window unlike other targets.

“The only thing that we will try to bring now – and in the end of the season – are players that are perfect for our future,” Amorim said ahead of today’s game. “It’s not going to be to save something in this moment, to cope with the losses of three players [Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui] for Afcon [the Africa Cup of Nations]. It’s not going to be like that. Even if we try to bring one player, maybe it’s not the position that we need more. So I don’t know what is going to happen, but it’s possible that we can do something.”

United spent £207m on forwards in the summer as they refreshed their attack but the availability of Semenyo, whose £65m release clause activates next month, has seen the Old Trafford club join the battle for the Ghana international. Amorim and United face a huge challenge to convince Semenyo to choose Old Trafford over Liverpool and Manchester City, who are the frontrunners for his signature, but wanted to sign the player in the summer only to baulk at his £80m plus asking price then. Tottenham are also in the mix. Any move for Semenyo would not address more pressing needs in midfield and the uncertainty over the immediate futures of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte. United are keen admirers of Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba but none of those midfielders are considered attainable in the winter window and Amorim has signalled a reluctance to compromise.

The former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, who is now with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, is thought to be keen to return to the Premier League and has been linked with a move to United. Amorim has admitted United could utilise a back four during the Afcon while Mbeumo and Amad are missing. He also has the added headache against Villa of being without the suspended Casemiro and injured defensive pair of Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire. 

“It will depend on the way we play that particular week but if we have to change to a four back four, we change four back four,” Amorim said.

Category: General Sports

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