Aston Villa extended their run to 10 consecutive wins in all competitions with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Villa Park. Morgan Rogers scored both Villa goals, either side of Matheus Cunha’s composed equaliser just before the break. The result was compounded for United by an injury to Bruno Fernandes at half-time and the senior debut of Jack Fletcher, son of iconic midfielder Darren.

United player ratings

GK: Senne Lammens — 6.2: Helpless for Rogers’s strikes but produced a few solid saves elsewhere.
CB: Leny Yoro — 6.5: Let Morgan Rogers cut inside too easily for Villa’s opener and struggled with him throughout. Hooked in the second half after a difficult outing.
CB: Ayden Heaven — 7.0: Made a couple of excellent early blocks and looked composed throughout, doing a solid job of marshalling Ollie Watkins.
CB: Luke Shaw — 6.5: Distributed the ball well, but struggled defensively against John McGinn, who often came out on top in their duels.
RWB: Diogo Dalot — 7.2: Impressive on the right, showing why his versatility is vital for United. Got forward effectively and defended well.
CM: Bruno Fernandes — 6.9: A solid if unspectacular first half, but had to go off injured at the break.
CM: Manuel Ugarte — 6.7: Sloppy in possession, regularly muscled off the ball and second-best in duels.
LWB: Patrick Dorgu — 8.2: One of United’s best players, lively on the left and solid defensively. Got one assist.
AM: Matheus Cunha — 8.2: Coolly finished United’s equaliser and was central to most of United’s threat.
AM: Mason Mount — 6.7: United’s standout in the second period, constantly trying to create chances.
ST: Benjamin Šeško — 6.3: First start since late November; spurned a good chance and remains short of match sharpness.

Substitutes: Lisandro Martínez (46′ for Fernandes) 6.6; Jack Fletcher (72′ for Ugarte) 5.9; Joshua Zirkzee (72′ for Šeško) 6.1; Shea Lacey (83′ for Yoro) N/A.

Match context: United dominated possession at times and created chances, but conceded to two moments of quality from Rogers. “It’s Morgan Rogers vs. Manchester United, and Morgan Rogers is winning.” United sit seventh at Christmas, while Villa are third, three points behind Arsenal and one behind Manchester City.

Manchester United head to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon without Casemiro, a significant absence for a player who has been central to United’s structure this season. Villa have already beaten Arsenal and Manchester City at home, so the challenge facing Ruben Amorim’s side is intensified by the Brazilian midfielder’s unavailability.

Casemiro, the 33-year-old, will not make the journey to Villa Park because he is serving a one-match suspension after accumulating five yellow cards in the Premier League. His latest booking was shown in the 4–4 draw with Bournemouth last Monday. This will be only the second match he has missed for United this season; he was also absent for the 3–1 defeat at Brentford in September following a red card picked up against Chelsea.

Casemiro has started all but three games this season, and those matches without him have produced defeats for Amorim’s side. The sequence includes the shock second-round humiliation at Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup and top-flight losses at Manchester City and Brentford. United will be desperate to avoid a fourth successive away loss when playing without him.

When Amorim has omitted Casemiro this season Manuel Ugarte has been the replacement used. The Uruguayan has not impressed in his rare opportunities, and question marks remain over his long-term future at Old Trafford. With Villa’s midfield featuring Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara, the manager must make the right call. Kobbie Mainoo is presented in the squad as the only other viable alternative to Casemiro and Ugarte.

Selection in central midfield will be pivotal to how United approach a stern away test against a Villa side proven to be dangerous at home. The absence of Casemiro forces tactical choices that could shape the immediate course of United’s campaign.

Barcelona have identified Aston Villa centre back Pau Torres as a potential reinforcement as the club seeks to shore up a defence that has come under pressure in 2025–26. Opponents have regularly exploited Barcelona’s high line, and the Catalans have conceded 20 goals in La Liga, the most among the top six.

According to ESPN, the 28-year-old Torres is viewed as a candidate to form a long-term pairing with Cubarsí. The report highlights Torres’s comfort on the ball and his aerial presence as qualities Barcelona value.

Barça’s interest dates back to Torres’s time at Villarreal, but he completed a €40 million ($47 million) move to Aston Villa in 2023 and signed a five-year contract that runs until June 2028. That history, plus his role under Unai Emery, makes any transfer complicated. Emery is unlikely to want to lose a defender who has become a regular starter and often plays 90 minutes in successive matches.

ESPN adds that Torres is open to a potential exit and would “listen” to Barcelona should the club make a “serious move” to sign him. The player’s willingness, however, would not guarantee an immediate transfer.

Any realistic pursuit is expected to wait until the summer. Barcelona need to create space on their wage bill for a deal to be feasible; both Robert Lewandowski and Andreas Christensen are due to be out of contract at the end of the season, which could free salary capacity and generate additional funds.

For now Barcelona must cope with a shaky backline while remaining competitive. Despite the defensive issues, Flick’s side sits atop the La Liga table, four points clear of Real Madrid. That position gives the club some latitude as it considers whether to press for Torres when the transfer window reopens.