Aston Villa stormed into the Premier League’s top four on Sunday after Morgan Rogers scored a brilliant second-half brace to flip a frustrating afternoon into a 2–1 comeback win over Leeds United at Elland
Road.
Leeds strike first, eventually
Leeds started sharply and were rewarded in the eighth minute, though only after a three-and-a-half-minute VAR marathon. Emiliano Martínez failed to claim a looping ball under pressure, spilled it, and Lukas Nmecha pounced to bundle it over the line.
VAR checked everything — two offsides and a potential foul on Martínez — before finally awarding the goal. Leeds, who have lost five of their last six, dominated the half and looked good value for their lead.
Emery’s halftime fixes flip the script
Unai Emery responded with a double change at the break, and the impact was immediate. Substitute Donyell Malen powered down the right and whipped in a low, dangerous ball three minutes into the second half. Rogers stretched, got the faintest of touches, and steered Villa level.
A free-kick masterpiece
The winner came on 75 minutes, and it was pure class.
After Ross Barkley was brought down on the edge of the box by Pascal Struijk, Rogers stepped up and sent a gorgeous curling free kick up and over the wall, bending away from keeper Lucas Perri and into the far corner. The kind of strike that wins any match — and this one certainly did.
Late drama, but Villa hold firm
Leeds thought they’d hit back instantly, but Dan James’ square pass clipped Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hand before rolling into the net, and another VAR check chalked it off.
Malen nearly killed the game late on but fired over, giving Leeds a glimmer of hope before Martínez made a sharp stoppage-time save to deny Struijk.
Villa held on for their sixth win in seven league matches, climbing to 21 points and surging into the top four.
(with Reuters inputs)
