By Chris O'Brien
December 18 2005

Manchester United's Premiership revival continues with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa. Striking duo Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney were on awesome form with a goal each as Sir Alex Ferguson's side put themselves within six points of leaders Chelsea.

Manchester United's superb Premiership record over Aston Villa continues with a comfortable 2-0 victory at Villa Park.

Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to leave out Alan Smith from his starting XI through illness with Park Ji Sung starting in his absence. Louis Saha was also ruled out through illness, meaning an inexperienced substitutes bench including Phillip Bardsley, Richard Jones and Giuseppe Rossi.

Following the 4-0 drubbing of Wigan Athletic during the week, United were out of the blocks quickly and Wayne Rooney did superbly well to send through Park who weaved through the Villains defence only to smash a shot against the post.

The deadlock was broken only moments later. Ruud Van Nistelrooy charged through the Clarets backline as he raced onto a Darren Fletcher pass, calmly lifting the ball over the goalkeeper. It was an ideal start from the Red Devils with supporters once again talking up a title challenge after back-to-back league wins.

United were enjoying themselves in the Midlands sunshine. David O'Leary's side, struggling at the wrong end of the Premiership table, gave their visitors both time and space on the ball and thus never stood a chance. Van Nistelrooy nearly doubled the advantage on 33 minutes with a spectacular over-head kick that was palmed over the bar by a busy Thomas Sorenson.

The result was put beyond reasonable doubt five minutes into the second-half with Rooney capping a superb performance with a great finish. Park found the English international with a neat through ball and a powerful finish added to Villa's woe.

The hosts finally put Edwin Van Der Sar under pressure as Gareth Barry saw a shot on the turn fly inches wide of the target before Milan Baros fired against the woodwork. However, this was always going to be United's afternoon and Ryan Giggs and Van Nistelrooy both went close in the closing stages as an easy victory was tied up comfortably.

It is perhaps a little early to be talking up a championship challenge, but this was another fantastic victory and West Bromwich Albion will not be relishing their Boxing Day visit to Old Trafford. Before that, there is another trip to the Midlands as attentions turn to the League Cup quarter-final and Birmingham City. Anybody for another Treble?

Full Time - Aston Villa 0-2 Manchester United
Attendance - 37,128

Aston Villa: Sorensen, Delaney, Hughes, Ridgewell, Bouma, Milner, Bakke, Davis, McCann, Barry, Baros.
Substitutes: Hendrie, Angel, Taylor, De la Cruz, Moore.

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, O'Shea, Fletcher, Park, Scholes, Giggs, van Nistelrooy, Rooney.
Substitutes: Howard, Ronaldo, Bardsley, Jones, Rossi.