Aston Villa extend hot streak with victory over Man U

MANCHESTER, England:

Morgan Rogers scored two brilliant solo goals to down Manchester United 2-1 and keep Aston Villa in the hunt for the English Premier League title.

The win at Villa Park on Sunday was a 10th straight victory in all competitions for Unai Emery's team, third in the standings and three points off leaders Arsenal.

Rogers whipped two curling shots into the top corner - either side of Matheus Cunha's goal for United.

The midfielder fired Villa in 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 outstanding run, which has 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 Arsenal and second-place Manchester City saw the top two pull away. But Villa's latest victory was another show of their title credentials since recovering from a desperate start to the season.

SURPRISE CONTENDER

Villa's emergence as a surprise contender comes after they lost two of their first three games and were winless in five. Now they are unbeaten in 19 games in all competitions, with 16 wins during that run.

It was Rogers' second double in as many games after scoring twice in last week's 3-2 win at West Ham.

"Sometimes it's your day, sometimes it isn't, and luckily lately it'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.

Cunha levelled the game at 1-1 by 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 in front of the goal.

- AP