Aston Villa made history at Villa Park, recording 10 consecutive competitive victories for the first time in more than a century with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Manchester United. The result also marked just Villa’s second triumph in their last 27 top-flight home meetings with the Red Devils.

Pre-match attention centred on the absence of Kobbie Mainoo, and United’s sluggish opening suggested the off-field noise may have taken its toll. Villa failed to capitalise early, however, with Senne Lammens denying John McGinn before teenage defender Ayden Heaven produced a superb last-ditch block to prevent Ollie Watkins from scoring.

United survived another warning from the resulting corner, as Ian Maatsen’s driven ball across the six-yard box was flicked inches wide by Morgan Rogers’ heel.

Once Ruben Amorim’s side found their rhythm, they began to impose themselves, with Emiliano Martínez tested when Benjamin Šeško saw an effort pushed away by the Argentina international. Yet despite United’s growing control, it was Villa who struck first, Rogers cutting in from the left and curling a magnificent shot into the top-right corner, leaving Lammens rooted to the spot.

United were gifted a route back into the contest on the stroke of half-time when Patrick Dorgu dispossessed Matty Cash, allowing Matheus Cunha to bend a precise finish into the far corner to level the score.

Momentum shifted again shortly after the break when Bruno Fernandes was forced off through injury, prompting Amorim to deploy centre-back Lisandro Martínez in midfield. While the Argentine adapted well, United were soon behind once more as Rogers produced a near-identical moment of brilliance, again cutting inside from the left and finding the far corner with pinpoint accuracy.

United had a golden opportunity to respond when Dorgu delivered a perfect cross onto Cunha’s head from close range, but the forward somehow nodded wide when a goal looked inevitable.

Late debuts for youngsters Shea Lacey and Jack Fletcher brought fresh energy, and Lacey forced Martínez into action with a late effort, but Cunha’s miss proved costly.

The victory further cements Villa’s status as genuine title contenders, while United’s momentum has stalled, leaving them to reflect on lost ground in the race for European qualification as their injury list continues to grow.