Monday’s briefing: Morgan Rogers keeps Aston Villa flying and AFCON kicks off

Aston Villa kept hot on the heels of the Premier League’s top two Arsenal and Manchester City by beating Manchester United 2-1 at home.

Villa moved to within three points of leaders Arsenal as Liverpool were fearing record signing Alexander Isak had suffered a significant injury and may be sidelined for some time.

Elsewhere, Harry Kane was a Bundesliga record-breaker and the Africa Cup of Nations kicked off with hosts Morocco celebrating victory on opening night.

Rogers double keeps Villa in title hunt

Morgan Rogers maintained Aston Villa’s title push with a wonderful double against Manchester United.

Unai Emery’s side extended their winning run to a 10th match as United were beaten 2-1 at Villa Park.

The in-form Rogers bagged a brace for the second week running with two sweet right-footed strikes.

Matheus Cunha had equalised for United visitors who suffered a major injury blow when skipper Bruno Fernandes pulled up before the break and did not reappear for the second half.

Villa’s seventh straight Premier League victory leaves them third in the standings and just three points behind leaders Arsenal heading into Christmas.

Liverpool fears over injured Isak

Liverpool fear Alexander Isak has sustained a significant injury after being forced off in the win over Tottenham.

The club are waiting for the results of an MRI scan but the Press Association understands there are concerns over the extent of the problem to the Sweden striker’s lower left leg.

Liverpool, however, are unwilling to speculate on the potential implications for the 26-year-old until a full assessment of all medical tests has been completed.

Substitute Isak was injured in the act of scoring the opening goal in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Spurs, having only been on the pitch for 11 minutes.

Reds boss Arne Slot said after the game the injury was “not a good thing”.

Centurion Kane sets new record

England captain Harry Kane scored in Bayern Munich’s 4-0 win at Heidenheim to set a new Bundesliga record.

Kane became the fastest player to reach 100 goal contributions in Bundesliga history, with 81 goals and 19 assists from 78 games.

Former Bayern forward Arjen Robben was the previous quickest to a century of Bundesliga goal contributions from 119 games.

Kane said on X: “Ending the year on a high! Great performance today to round off a brilliant start to the season.

“On a personal note delighted to lead the boys out as captain and reach 100 goal contributions in the Bundesliga.”

Atlas Lions get the AFCON party started

Hosts Morocco sparked wild celebrations as the Africa Cup of Nations got under way in Rabat.

The Atlas Lions beat Comoros 2-0 as Africa’s highest placed team in the FIFA rankings underlined their status as one of the favourites to win the tournament.

Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor saved Soufiane Rahimi’s early penalty.

But home nerves were settled when Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui set up Real Madrid striker Brahim Diaz after 55 minutes.

Victory was sealed in spectacular fashion as substitute Ayoub El Kaabi produced a brilliant overhead kick 16 minutes from time.

What’s on today?

Fulham host Nottingham Forest in the final Premier League fixture before Christmas.

Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay hopes to add more silverware to his Serie A title triumph as Napoli take on Bologna in the Supercoppa Italiana final in Riyadh.

There is plenty of action at the Africa Cup of Nations as Mohamed Salah’s Egypt begin their tournament against Zimbabwe.

South Africa play Angola and Mali meet Zambia in the other games on the second day of competition in Morocco.