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Morgan Rogers got one over his old employers with a goal and assist to seal Aston Villa a jubilant 2-1 victory over Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
The Villa Park faithful were delivered a dream early Christmas present as goals from Jhon Duran and Rogers sealed all three points to leapfrog City and soar Villa up to fifth in the Premier League.
Villa dreamed of repeating last December’s famous 1-0 victory over the Cityzens delivered the goods, stunning Pep Guardiola’s side who have now won just one of their last 12 games in all competitions. Phil Foden scored a goal in second half stoppage time but it was too little too late as Unai Emery’s midfield overload worked a treat throughout.
It was a chaotic start as Villa took just 18 seconds to register the first shot on target. John McGinn dispossessed Josko Gvardiol and played in Duran but the striker completely misjudged the situation, shooting way too early and seeing his effort saved by Ortega Moreno. Pau Torres went agonisingly close from the resulting corner as he headed powerfully towards goal but Ortega somehow clawed the ball off the line, tipping it onto the crossbar.
Villa’s early pressure paid off as Duran broke the deadlock in the 16th minute, converting cooly past Ortega. Youri Tielemans picked up the ball deep from Martinez and played an exquisite through ball on the half-turn, splitting the defence to find Rogers in the channel. Villa’s number 27 did brilliantly to sprint away from Manuel Akanji and then had the presence of mind to find Duran who converted for 1-0.
Goals from Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers secured a huge 2-1 victory over Man City at Villa Park.Goals from Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers secured a huge 2-1 victory over Man City at Villa Park.
Goals from Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers secured a huge 2-1 victory over Man City at Villa Park. | Getty Images
City certainly had the better of the possession but struggled to thread a way through Villa’s compact midfield for large stretches of the first half. It took until around 35 minutes in for the momentum to fully set in as a few chances began to mount; Phil Foden forced a diving save from Martinez, Grealish had a tame effort stopped and Gvardiol headed just over from close range.
Villa began the second half just as they did the first, with clear-cut goalscoring opportunities aplenty. Cash had a great chance to double Villa’s lead but the Poland international could only find the side netting. Duran thought he’d scored a second with a terrific finish beyond Ortega after another Tielemans through pass, but the flag was up for offside. Rogers then went close, seeing a shot flick off the near post after a clever Duran lay-off.
Eventually, Villa extended their advantage as Rogers started and finished an exceptional team move to make it 2-0. The England international dribbled out of his own half and skipped past two challenges before finding McGinn out on the right flank. Villa’s captain held up the ball well to return it to Rogers who skipped past Kyle Walker and fire back across goal to find the bottom corner.
The atmosphere at Villa Park was electric in the closing stages as the hosts asserted control and City grew frustrated. Ollie Watkins saw a shot on target saved by Ortega immediately after coming on for Duran before Grealish lost his head, booting McGinn off the ball and receiving a deserved yellow card. Here’s how the Villa players rated out of 10 as Emery’s men claimed all three points in rampant fashion.
Player ratings
Emi Martinez - 8
Made three decent first half saves to deny Kovacic, Foden and Grealish before having far less to do in the second 45. Faultless with his distribution and couldn’t do much about Foden’s goal.
Matty Cash - 6
Simply couldn’t with Grealish in the first half and was unsurprisingly booked for an accumulation of fouls on the £100m winger. Sured up after the break, though, as Emery resisted the urge to substitute him.
Ezri Konsa - 7
Defended impeccably up against Grealish and Haaland, affording neither forward space in behind. Made a few progressive passes upfield.
Pau Torres - 7
So unlucky not to open the scoring as he saw his second-minute header saved by Ortega. Had one shaky moment passing around his own six-yard box but got away with it.
Lucas Digne - 7
Provided good width down the left and got stuck into plenty of tough ground duels. Let the odd touch get away from him, mind.
Boubacar Kamara - 8
Showed superb awareness to escape the press and help Villa control proceedings after 2-0. Also chipped in with three or four excellent tackles.
Amadou Onana - 7
Helped Villa dominate physically in midfield for much of the game but took a little too long to make decisions at times, notably when he had the chance to shoot from range but was dispossessed by Haaland.
John McGinn - 8
Set up Rogers’ crucial goal with some great hold-up play. Worked his socks off to shield the ball when needed and did brilliantly to create Duran’s early chance.
Morgan Rogers - 9 (off 86’)
Had a point to prove against his former employers and succeeded as City simply couldn’t gear him. Scored a wonderful goal to seal the deal and unselfishly assisted Duran’s opener. Set Villa up on many counter-attacks by skipping past challenges and progressing up the field.
Youri Tielemans - 9
Simply sensational in his first start as a 10 this season. Played a crucial role in Duran’s opener, finding Rogers in the build-up with a perfect pass. Read the game beautifully throughout, getting Villa out of trouble with clever touches and passes in tight spaces. Would’ve had an assist if Duran didn’t stray offside.
Jhon Duran - 8 (off 80’)
Opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour, making up for missing a big chance just 18 seconds into the game. Nearly had a second just after the break as he finished with great composure but was offside. Then set up Rogers for a great opportunity. Pressed well from the front, stopping City passing comfortably around the back.
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