Rogers double lifts Villa into EPL top 4

Aston Villa climbed into the Premier League’s top four after striker Morgan Rogers scored twice to inspire a 2-1 comeback victory over Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday.
Leeds struck first in the eighth minute when Lukas Nmecha bundled home after Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez failed to collect a high ball under pressure. The goal, created from a Sean Longstaff free kick and Gabriel Gudmundsson’s hooked effort, required a lengthy VAR check for possible offsides and a foul before being confirmed. Leeds dominated the first half, but Villa regrouped after the break.
Manager Unai Emery’s double substitution proved decisive. Within three minutes of the restart, substitute Donyell Malen delivered a powerful cross that Rogers toe-poked into the net for the equaliser. Villa continued to press and were rewarded in the 75th minute when Rogers curled a superb free kick over the defensive wall and beyond goalkeeper Lucas Perri, sealing the turnaround.
Leeds thought they had equalised almost immediately, but Dan James’ assist was ruled out after VAR spotted a handball by Dominic Calvert-Lewin before the ball crossed the line. Malen later missed a chance to extend Villa’s lead, blasting over from close range, while Martinez produced a sharp save to deny Pascal Struijk’s late header.
Villa held firm to secure their sixth win in seven league matches, continuing their resurgence after a slow start to the season. The victory lifted them five places to fourth with 21 points, underlining their growing momentum.
For Leeds, the defeat was another setback, leaving them in the relegation zone after five losses in their last six games. Despite their strong first-half showing, they were undone by Villa’s second-half intensity and Rogers’ clinical finishing.