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.

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.

Arsenal suffered a devastating 95th-minute defeat as Emiliano Buendía rifled home the decisive goal to give Aston Villa a 2–1 Premier League victory. Leandro Trossard, introduced at half time, had levelled quickly after the break and offered Arsenal hope, but Villa’s stoppage-time winner proved decisive.

David Raya produced a number of important interventions, including a fine save to deny Ollie Watkins, but was ultimately helpless to stop Cash’s earlier fierce effort and Buendía’s late finish. Ben White provided attacking width on the right and linked well with Bukayo Saka, while Jurriën Timber and Piero Hincapié coped for the most part with Villa’s direct forward play.

Riccardo Calafiori pushed high early on but was cautioned after the hour mark and will be suspended next weekend. Martin Ødegaard led Arsenal’s creative work, producing dangerous shots and passes in the final third. Declan Rice covered big distances in an all-action display and made a key block to thwart Cash in the first half as well as forcing the turnover that led to Arsenal’s leveller.

Bukayo Saka was Arsenal’s principal attacking threat and supplied the cross for Trossard’s equaliser. Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze were withdrawn at half time after limited involvement; Trossard and Viktor Gyökeres replaced them and had differing impacts. Substitutes Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli were introduced later as Arsenal sought a late winner, while Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marli Salmon, Christian Nørgaard, Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli were listed among the unused options.

Villa’s Starting XI read Emiliano Martínez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen; Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana; John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers; Ollie Watkins. Villa’s bench included Donyell Malen, Jadon Sancho, Lamare Bogarde, Emi Buendía and Victor Lindelöf among the subs used.

The defeat hands Manchester City and Chelsea the opportunity to close the gap on Arsenal, while Villa moved to within three points of the table-toppers. Arsenal will regroup after a game decided in the final seconds.