United thrash Villa

12 April 2012

Wayne Rooney ended his six-match goal drought for Manchester United as they tightened their grip at the top of the table with a 4-0 win over Aston Villa.

The England striker grabbed a brace in the second half as Villa were outplayed at Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with his 35th goal of the season while Carlos Tevez extended their lead as United made it six straight league wins.

United almost took the lead after 11 minutes when Ronaldo saw his effort turned around by Scott Carson.

However, United went ahead in the 17th minute. Rio Ferdinand chested the ball into Ronaldo's path and he clipped an outrageous back-heel through Martin Laursen's legs and beyond Carson.

United made it 2-0 after 33 minutes, with Ronaldo this time setting up the goal. He latched onto a clever pass from Paul Scholes and delivered a cross to the back post, where Tevez headed home.

United should have extended their lead in the 48th minute when Rooney was sent clear by Tevez, but he shot wide, before Ronaldo came close when his shot hit Wilfred Bouma and came back off the bar.

However, a minute later Rooney made it 3-0 with his 16th goal of the season when he rounded Carson after Ronaldo's flick-on split the Villa defence.

Tevez should have scored in the 66th minute, but headed wide in front of goal, before Rooney hit the post.

Rooney made it 4-0 in the 70th minute after again being released by Ronaldo and thought he had scored his hat-trick in the 78th minute, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.

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