ROGERS KEEPS VILLA IN TITLE BRACE

Dark horses clear awkward hurdle thanks to a precious double from magic Morgan

- BY PATRICK AUSTEN-HARDY

MORGAN ROGERS delivered another statement performance to keep Aston Villa's unlikely Premier League title bid alive.

Rogers' second-half double moved Unai Emery’s side within three points of leaders Arsenal.

The Hammers, buoyed by the spirit of Billy Bonds, generated by a poignant pregame tribute to their legendary former manager and captain who died at the end of November aged 79, had the lead within 30 seconds.

Chants of ‘Billy Bonds' claret and blue army’ were still in full song when Mateus Fernandes robbed the dithering Ezri Konsa and fired a high finish into the roof of the net.

Villa equalised fortuitously as Ollie Watkins’ flicked header deflected off the head of Konstantinos Mavropanos and past a helpless Alfonse Areola.