By Chris,
March 30 2008

Manchester United edged closer to a seventeenth Premier League crown with a sublime performance against Aston Villa. Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez were both on the scoresheet, whilst Wayne Rooney netted a brace as the Reds cruised to a 4-0 win against Martin O’Neill’s Villains. United now have a six-point lead at the top of the table, with third-placed Chelsea in action on Sunday.

Ronaldo opened the scoring on seventeen minutes with a truly outrageous back heel.

Villa failed to clear a United corner and the winger was on hand to flick a Rio Ferdinand's knock-down towards goal. His effort totally eluded Martin Lauren and Scott Carson and sent Old Trafford into ecstasy. It was Ronaldo's 35^th of the season and, perhaps, his best yet.

United doubled their advantage twelve minutes before the interval as Tevez finished a superb passing move with a powerful header. The Argentinean nodded home an inch-perfect cross from Ronaldo after some superb build-up play from United in the midfield.

Sir Alex's men were playing simply breathtaking football. Villa came to Old Trafford and were prepared to attack; but they were swept away by one of United's most slick passing displays of the season. The hosts went in at half-time to a superb reception and nobody doubted that the three points were already in the bag ahead of Tuesday's crucial trip to Italy.

Villa had a go after half-time and were unlucky on a couple of occasions. Stand-in shot stopper Tomasz Kuszczak was called into action a few times, whilst ex-Celtic star Shaun Maloney sent a superb chance wide as bore down on the goalkeeper.

At the other end, Rooney missed a sitter after being put clean through by Tevez - but the England forward soon made amends by netting a third which ended the game as a contest. Rooney latched onto an audacious flick from Ronaldo, before calmly rounding Carson and slotting the ball home. United were playing tremendously and were clearly enjoying every minute.

With 61 minutes on the clock, Ferguson's mind wandered to Tuesday's Champions League clash and the changes came. It was surprising to see the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Ronaldo all stay on the pitch - with Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick and Ferdinand the men chosen to take an early rest. Owen Hargreaves, Anderson and John O'Shea were introduced to the fray.

United continued to dominate with Tevez heading wide and Rooney hitting the post - moments before completing his brace. He fired home a great ball from Ronaldo with twenty minutes to go as United, yet again, scored four goals in a league game.

The game petered out somewhat in the closing stages. Rooney was denied a hat-trick after having a strike ruled out for off-side, whilst Villa fired a series of ambitious, long-range efforts over the bar as they sought some consolation from a miserable trip north. The ease of United's win was summed up seven minutes from time as Giggs, with three changes already made, jogged down the tunnel to rest a bruising. The Reds finished the game with ten men on the field - and, in truth, that's all they ever needed!

Full Time - Manchester United 4-0 Aston Villa
Attendance - 75,932