Manchester United 4-0 Aston Villa

Mar 30 2008 James Cairns Reports

MAGICAL Manchester United produced one of their best displays of the season as Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney cast a spell over outclassed Aston Villa.

Ronaldo netted a goal-of-the season contender and set up two for Rooney and another for Carlos Tevez.

The Portuguese ace has been unstoppable all season but yesterday he was almost unplayable as he displayed a full hand of tricks and flicks.

His goal came from a sublime backheel and a back flick created Rooney's first.

No wonder the world's richest clubs are getting ready to write blank cheques in a bid to prise him away from Old Trafford.

But no doubt Sir Alex Ferguson will be having none of it as he prepares to clinch another Premier League title.

Fergie was delighted his side took up where they left off against Liverpool.

He said: "The players reached a peak last week and we continued that today. It's a race to the line and we need real focus.

"We showed fantastic energy, which is a pleasing aspect considering some of them have been away for internationals.

"The title doesn't feel that close but there is great confidence in the way the team is playing and that's great at this time of the year."

Rooney was relieved to end a run of six games without a goal.

He said: "It has been a bit frustrating in the last couple of weeks and I had a chance before I scored today. I was delighted to get the two goals later in the game.

"We have to keep playing our games, playing the way we do and hopefully that will see us through."

United took just 17 minutes to stamp their authority with Ronaldo's grabbing his 35th goal of a remarkable season.

Villa failed to clearRyan Giggs' corner and Rio Ferdinand chested the ball into Ronaldo's path.

What happened next was incredible as the winger clipped an outrageous back-heel through Martin Laursen's legs and beyond stunned Scott Carson.

Villa hadn't won at Old Trafford for 25 years and were facing an uphill task.

Boss Martin O'Neill was out of his dug-out trying to gee his players up but how do you stop a genius? Gareth Barry thought he had the answer as he floored Ronaldo but the United hero carried on after treatment.

And after 33 minutes he set up the second goal.

Ronaldo latched on to a clever pass from Paul Scholes and delivered a cross to the back post.

Nigel Reo-Coker had gone missing and Tevez was left with the simple task of heading the ball home.

Villa were forced to make a change in the 41st minute when John Carew limped off and was replaced by Scotland striker Shaun Maloney.

It was a similar story after the break as Villa were forced to deal with a rampaging Reds machine.

The third goal came after 53 minutes and it was as good as the first. Ronaldo released Rooney with a wonderful flick and the England striker raced through and coolly rounded Carson before tapping home.

Seventeen minutes later the deadly duo combined again with Ronaldo sliding a perfect pass to Rooney who smashed a first-time drive into the corner.

The only concern for United was Michael Carrick, Ferdinand and Patrice Evra had to be subbed with injuries, Giggs suffered a knock and could not be replaced and Ronaldo needed ice treatment on his hamstring after the game.