Slick United punish Villa

Manchester United continued their impressive form with a 4-1 win over nine-man Aston Villa.

A Rooney brace helped Ferguson's side come from a goal down

Manchester United continued their impressive form with a pounding display to secure a 4-1 win over nine-man Aston Villa. Sir Alex Ferguson's side went behind after just 13 minutes, but a dramatic comeback ensured they made it seven consecutive Premier League victories. Villa were given the lead courtesy of Gabriel Agbonlahor's powerful header, however a Wayne Rooney brace and a defensive mix-up gave United the lead before the break. Early in the second half things went from bad to worse for Martin O'Neill's men when Nigel Reo-Coker and Scott Carson were given their marching orders. Ryan Giggs then added insult to injury with a fortunate strike on 75 minutes, capping off a tremendous United display. Villa started well and after 12 minutes the United defence was breached in the league for the first time in 611 minutes when Agbonlahor put Villa ahead. Craig Gardner over-hit his centre but Ashley Young managed to keep the ball in play and his ball back into the box picked out Agbonlahor whose glancing header flew into the corner of the net for his fourth league goal of the campaign. United were being given a searching examination by the pace and power of Villa's forward line and Luke Moore dispossessed Rio Ferdinand and dragged a low shot into the sidenetting with Edwin Van der Sar unsighted. But United gradually took control and Carson was called into meaningful action for the first time after 27 minutes after Paul Scholes and Rooney had carved open their defence. Carlos Tevez found himself with a clear sight at goal but the on-loan Liverpool keeper was perfectly positioned to block his shot. Ferguson's side started to find their rhythm and a long ball from Ferdinand picked out a well-timed run from Rooney but as the ball dropped over his shoulder he failed to make any contact. But after 36 minutes Rooney brought United back on level terms, Nani was the creator with a low ball across the Villa area and Rooney got in front of Zat Knight and Gardner to tuck away the easiest of chances at the far post. A minute before the interval Rooney put United ahead. Tevez's superb pass found the England ace in space 12 yards out and he gave Carson no chance with a low drive. United were now rampant and in first half injury-time a goal from Ferdinand increased their lead. Gerard Pique's initial header from a Nani corner was cleared by Young off the line but Ferdinand was first to react to the rebound and Gardner only succeeded in turning his shot into the roof of the net via the crossbar. Reo-Coker collected his fifth booking of the campaign for a foul on Tevez early in the second period. Villa briefly improved and Agbonlahor raced on to a Barry pass and skipped past Van der Sar but he had been driven out wide and Pique was able to clear his eventual cross-cum-shot. The home side were reduced to 10 men after 60 minutes when Reo-Coker picked up his second yellow card for a late challenge on Anderson. Then Villa were left with only nine players when Carson brought down Tevez after 67 minutes and was red-carded by Styles. No.2 keeper Stuart Taylor came on for Young - and his first touch saw him save Rooney's low spot-kick. But United were not to be denied and with 16 minutes left Laursen could only head Giggs' deflected shot past Taylor.

Aston Villa	Team Statistics	Manchester United
1	Goals	4
1	1st Half Goals	3
3	Shots on Target	13
8	Shots off Target	8
3	Blocked Shots	2
3	Corners	9
10	Fouls	10
3	Offsides	0
1	Yellow Cards	2
2	Red Cards	0
73.9	Passing Success	85.4
32	Tackles	24
90.6	Tackles Success	83.3
30.2	Possession	69.8
44.1	Territorial Advantage	55.9