Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United after Rogers stunner; Cunha equalises late in first half

Aston Villa and Manchester United played to a 1-1 draw in the Premier League at Villa Park, with late drama shaping the first half as Morgan Rogers struck a stunning opener for Villa and Matheus Cunha hit back for United in stoppage time. Rogers latched onto a pass on the edge of the box and wrapped a right-foot curler into the top corner, leaving Emiliano Martinez with little chance as the ball found the far top corner.

United had begun the half well and created chances to threaten the Villa goal, but the home side stretched the visitors with patient build‑ups and smart late-pressing transitions. The goal came as Villa’s counter pressure fizzled and United attempted to mount further pressure, but the finish from Rogers left Villa Park roaring and United momentarily stunned at the end of the first period.

The visitors answered almost instantly after the break. Patrick Dorgu closed down Matty Cash high up the pitch and won back possession in a dangerous area for Villa. The ball rolled to Cunha, who tempered the moment with a composed finish into the bottom corner, sending Emiliano Martinez the wrong way and drawing United level two minutes into added time in the first half. Cunha’s strike was the culmination of a swift sequence that began with Villa trying to build from the back and ended with a breakthrough for United, leaving the first 45 minutes to be judged as a fair reflection of a tightly contested contest.

Bruno Fernandes had earlier produced an eye-catching moment, firing a powerful effort toward the Villa goal that Konsa blocked for a corner. The United captain was later seen hobbling on a hamstring issue around the 40-minute mark, though he continued to operate with apparent discomfort as the half wore on. Villa had earlier harried United into some loose play and looked to exploit space behind the United back line when they had chances to break.

Aston Villa had been pressing high and disrupting United’s build-up, with Matheus Cunha and John McGinn offering moments of invention. McGinn’s strikes from distance tested Martinez, who was called into action again and again as Villa’s defense held firm against United’s sharper spells of possession. The scoring sequence at the end of the first half underscored the volatility of the moment and the fine margins that have often decided this fixture in recent seasons.

HALF-TIME: Aston Villa 1-1 Man United. The half finished with United the marginally more assertive side, though Villa’s willingness to build from the back and press high has made the game competitive and entertaining. The two goals in quick succession late in the half highlighted the risks and rewards of Emery’s approach and the danger United can present on the break.

At the break, former United captain Roy Keane offered his take on the pattern of play from Sky Sports: Villa have been happy to let United control possession, waiting for a mistake in transition. United deserve to be level, Keane said, but Villa’s strategy to invite pressure and then spring forward at pace has kept the game in the balance.

The other recurring thread from the opening 45 minutes was the physical toll on Bruno Fernandes, who appeared to pull up with a hamstring and needed attention before continuing. The concern for United is matching Villa’s intensity without exposing themselves to more injuries as the second half looms. Villa, meanwhile, will hope to tighten their fluid build-up and avoid giving away late chances as they did against United at times in the first period.

The second 45 minutes promises a tactical duel: Emery’s side will look to settle and exploit spaces, while United will be keen to prevent any lull from becoming a spell of sustained pressure from Villa. The festive fixture list continues, with both teams aiming to sharpen their form in a busy period ahead.

As the second half approaches, both sides will assess the balance between control and risk, knowing that a single moment could tilt the balance in their favor. Festive football continues, and Villa Park remains a stage for edge-of-the-seat football as the teams reset for the second half.