Rogers inspires Villa comeback as Roma march on

MORGAN Rogers produced two excellent finishes to inspire an Aston Villa comeback, beating Leeds 2-1 at Elland Road yesterday and moving into the English Premier League's top four.

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Rogers has often been preferred this season by England manager Thomas Tuchel over Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham but had scored just once this season prior to his second-half double. After failing to win any of their first five games, Villa have now won six of their last seven Premier League matches, climbing into UEFA Champions League positions.

Defeat leaves Leeds inside the relegation zone, and they were left to rue not building on a fast start. Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez pleaded in vain for a foul as he was challenged for a high ball by Anton Stach in the eighth minute. Ezri Konsa hooked the ball clear off his own line, but it rebounded off Lukas Nmecha to open the scoring for the Whites.

Martinez made amends with a fine save to prevent Brenden Aaronson from doubling the hosts’ lead. But Leeds’ energy dwindled in the second half after Rogers pulled Villa level just three minutes after the restart.