Reds Beat Villa 3-0 To Stay On Top

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and Paul Scholes volleyed the other goal as United moved on to 47 points, five points clear of defending champions Chelsea, who needed an injury-time winner to clinch a 3-2 victory over Wigan Athletic Saturday night.

United were frustrated by Villa for the first half but once Ronaldo had opened the scoring in the 58th minute the result was never in doubt.

A stunning volley from Scholes doubled United's lead and Ronaldo rounded off the scoring five minutes from time as Sir Alex Ferguson's side bounced back from their defeat by West Ham last weekend.

'It's a big result after last week's disappointment when we controlled a game we should have won,' Ferguson said.

'But today the players got to grips with the game, played some great football and showed determination. Ronaldo was unbelievable, he was a revelation today and he is as good as anyone in the country.'