Morgan Rogers’ brace extended Aston Villa’s winning run to 10 matches in all competitions and moved Unai Emery’s side to within three points of league leaders Arsenal at Christmas.
Rogers opened the scoring with a superb curling effort before Matheus Cunha hauled Manchester United level within three minutes on the stroke of half-time.
But the in-form Englishman was not to be denied, cutting inside once more to bend a near-identical strike beyond Senne Lammens before the hour mark to seal the victory.
Ruben Amorim handed debuts to youngsters Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey, while Bruno Fernandes limped off injured in what proved to be a difficult afternoon for United at Villa Park.
Daily Mail Sport’s Chris Wheeler rates the players…
Morgan Rogers’ brace extended Aston Villa’s winning run to 10 games in all competitions and ensured Unai Emery’s side are just three points off league leaders Arsenal at Christmas
ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1)
Emiliano Martinez – 7
Had a point to prove against United after his move to Old Trafford was aborted in the summer, and made a great point-blank save from Sesko. Carried on despite taking a knee in the head from Cash.
Matty Cash – 5
Will be disappointed that he was caught dallying on the ball by Dorgu for United’s equaliser. A costly lapse of concentration.
Ezri Konsa – 6.5
Solid at the back for Villa and made a fantastic block to deny Fernandes an almost certain goal in the first half.
Victor Lindelof – 6
The former United defender was stretched by Sesko’s runs on occasions, but came out on top in their duel overall.
Ian Maatsen – 6
Early sight of goal when he went close to scoring from a corner, but didn’t get forward as much as he would have liked in the first half in particular.
Boubacar Kamara – 6
Had his work cut out as United flooded the midfield by asking Mount and Cunha to drop deeper, but held his own and drew a booking from Ugarte with one break.
Amadou Onana – 6
Villa needed his physical presence and he produced one hefty challenge on Fernandes in the first half that shook the United captain to his boots.
John McGinn – 6.5
Had a powerful early shot saved by Lammens and continued to offer a threat going forward, even if slightly wayward with the pass in the build-up to Rogers’ opener.
Emiliano Martinez had a point to prove against United after his move to Old Trafford was aborted in the summer, and made a great point-blank save from Benjamin Sesko
Youri Tielemens – 6.5
Shot wide of goal shortly before half-time seemed to sum up Villa’s frustration at that point, but his perseverance paid off with the cross that led to Rogers’ second.
Morgan Rogers – 8.5
What can you say about this man? He was the difference between the two teams, cutting inside to put Villa ahead with a trademark strike and then winning it with another sumptuous right-foot effort.
Ollie Watkins – 5.5
Heavily involved when Villa started the game brightly and had a shot blocked by Heaven. Continued to make good runs between United’s two young centre-backs but faded a little.
MANAGER: Unai Emery – 7
Subs: Bizot, Digne (for Maatsen 75, 6), Garcia, Malen (for Watkins 75, 6), Routh, Bogarde (for Kamara 88), Guessand (for McGinn 84), Hemmings, Buendia (for Onana 84).
Scorer: Rogers 45, 57
Booked: none
MANCHESTER UNITED
Senne Lammens – 6
No chance with the first goal and agonisingly close to reaching the second. The young Belgian has improved United this season but still has only one clean sheet.
Leny Yoro – 4
Had one of his off-days. Allowed Rogers to cut in from the left far too easily to score the first, and didn’t get tight enough to prevent the second either.
Leny Yoro had one of his off-days, allowing Morgan Rogers to cut in from the left far too easily to score Aston Villa’s first, and didn’t get tight enough to prevent their second either
Ayden Heaven – 7
His most assured performance for United yet despite ending up on the losing side. A couple of early interventions were crucial in stopping Villa catching Amorim’s side cold.
Luke Shaw – 6.5
A steadying presence alongside the inexperienced pairing of Heaven and Yoro in the absence of Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire, and it was a similar story here.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Switched to the right and pressed high with Dorgu to pin Villa’s full-backs, but he was guilty of allowing Tielemens to get in the cross that led to the second goal.
Manuel Ugarte – 4
Returned in place of suspended Casemiro with Kobbie Mainoo injured, but looked shaky from the moment he was caught in possession early on and was substituted shortly after being booked.
Bruno Fernandes – 6.5
Has hardly missed a game since joining United six years ago next month, but suffered what looked like a hamstring injury before half-time and didn’t reappear after the interval. A worrying sight for Amorim.
Patrick Dorgu – 7
Made a crucial contribution to Cunha’s equaliser when he dispossessed Cash on the edge of his own box, and almost got an even better assist when the Brazilian headed wide from his brilliant cross.
Mason Mount – 6.5
Impressed in a midfield three alongside Fernandes and Cunha in front of Ugarte, which stifled Villa for long periods. Will have a big role to play in the absence of Fernandes and Mbeumo.
Cunha scored his second goal of the week with a clinical finish but could have had a couple more after curling an early effort inches wide and then heading off target in the second half
Matheus Cunha – 6.5
Scored his second goal of the week with a clinical finish but could have had a couple more after curling an early effort inches wide and then somehow heading off target in the second half.
Benjamin Sesko – 5
First start since the start of November but struggled again. Failed to beat Martinez when through on goal in the 21st minute and made little impression after that.
MANAGER: Ruben Amorim – 6.5
Subs: Bayindir, Heaton, Fredricson, Malacia, Martinez (for Fernandes 46, 6), J Fletcher (for Sesko 73, 6), Lacey (for Yoro 84, 6.5), Mantato, Zirkzee (for Ugarte 73, 6).
Scorer: Cunha 45+3
Booked: Ugarte, Dalot
Referee: Michael Oliver – 7
