Manchester United kept the goals flowing as the Premiership champions thrashed Aston Villa 4-1 at Villa Park on Saturday. United remain in tail of leaders Arsenal with 23 points from ten games, but the latter, who are on 25, have just played nine games. Villa hot shot Gabriel Agbonlahor put the home side ahead early in the game with a 13th minute header. However, the in-form Wayne Rooney inspired the Red Devils to a fine first-half comeback, with two goals inside the last nine minutes of the half. A few seconds after Rooney completed his brace, Rio Ferdinand ensured United's first half supremacy with a third goal at the stroke of half-time. On the hour mark, Villa's Nigel Reo-Coker received his marching orders for a second bookable offence, before goalkeeper Scott Carson followed him six minutes later. Carson brought down Carlos Tevez inside the area, and referee Rob Styles had no option but to show him a straight red. However, Rooney failed to complete his hat-trick as his penalty kick was thwarted by substitute goalkeeper Stuart Taylor, who marked his first touch of the game in style. In the 75th minute, Ryan Giggs made sure Alex Ferguson's team would register a second straight high-scoring victory, following their 4-0 drubbing of Wigan two weeks ago.
