PLAYER RATINGS: Manchester United 4 - 0 Aston Villa

Normal service was resumed yesterday, as Manchester United comprehensivley beat Aston Villa to reastablish their five point advantage over Manchester City at the top and banish the memory of their 1-0 loss at the DW stadium*. Goals from Rooney (2), Welbeck and Nani halved the goal advantage that City hold over us. So lets get to it!

* Apologies for a lack of ratings for the Wigan game. My feed sucked, and I also missed the first 30 minutes due to work commitments. Anyway, who wanted to recap that shocking result?

David De Gea - Again didn't have much to do, very alike the QPR game. However he did have to make two saves, and he dealt with them. As he should. 6.5/10

Rafael - Has been very impressive at right back since the turn of the year, save for his blunder against Athletic Bilbao, and that continued yesterday. Very strong in the tackle for such a slight fellow. Gets forward well and him and Antonio Valencia seem to have forged a very decent partnership down the right hand side. Not quote Neville/Beckham esque yet, but it is very nice. 7.5/10

Jonny Evans - Really enjoying his play. Loves getting forward, grabbed an assist with a lovely pass to Nani after linking up with Welbeck. Almost scored a very difficult header too late on. Oh, and he also performed his defensive duties too! 8/10

Rio Ferdinand - Quiet game. So quiet, I really can't remember much about his performance. But that is Rio all over to be honest. Just the way he likes it. Helped keep the ever dangerous Emile Heskey (Stop laughing) quiet when he came on 7/10

Patrice Evra - Another decent game for the Frenchman. Probably his best form for over a year. Got forward weel, defended much better than has been the norm for him. Provided the cross for Danny Welbeck to slot home. 7.5/10

Antonio Valencia - Dangerous again. The standout right winger in the Premiership. Nothing flashy about his work. He puts in the effort as well when chasing the ball, but he is so deadly when one on one with his marker. A strikers dream. Grabbed the assist for Rooney after playing a one two with the England hitman. 8/10

Paul Scholes - At his age, players should not be able to dictate games the way he does. The way he did again yesterday. Almost gave the fans a moment to savour when he struck a volley after a corner was played directly too him, however it sailed wide, unlike the wonder goal he scored at Bradford over a decade ago. It really would have brought the memories of that strike rushing back. (I actually visited that stadium with Aldershot on the opening day of the season. That goal was in my mind that day...) Anyway.. another masterful performance from the ginger maestro. 8.5/10

Micheal Carrick - Definitely showing signs of getting forward more recently. And i like that, because he certainly has the ability to grab a few more goals, whilst still being able to control the game and shield the defense adequately when needed. Decent job yesterday, showed some lovely dribbling skills and close control in the box, but pushed his shot wide 7/10

Ashley Young - Il say it again. it was good play that resulted in the PK. He didn't dive in my eyes. There was contact. He went down, and he made sure the ref knew there was contact. If he would have tried going after the ball, and then fell over, it wouldn't have been a PK. It should have still been a PK, but I guarantee you the Ref wouldn't have given it. Having said that he should be very wary of the reputation he is earning himself, because the QPR one was a little too much. Another one like that and I will come down on him like a tonne of bricks (Like he will care). 7.5/10

Danny Welbeck - Needed this performance. Not only did he grab a goal, but he looked dangerous all day long. Missed a couple of chances, but instead of the result of poor finishing, which has usually been the case with Danny, the defensive work was good and his shots were blocked. more of this for the remainder of the season Mir Welbeck (And the Euro's) 8.5/10

Wayne Rooney - It's a good job he is scoring at the moment. Contributing, but not his brilliant best. But at this stage of the season, he is getting the job done with his goals. 7.5/10

Subs

Nani - Very good in my opinion. Looked threatening and grabbed the 4th. A massive boost to our chances if he is fit and firing. 7/10

Dimitar Berbatov - Nice to see him, even though I have never been his biggest fan. His attitude has been top notch. A little quiet but a 100% passing rate when he came on shows his class. 6.5/10

Tom Cleverley - Could have scored a late late goal. However his effort was ballooned over. Another sub with a 100% passing rate. I like the pace to his passes. Really shoots them in with accuracy. 6.5/10

Team Performance - Just what we needed after the midweek loss to Wigan. Never really gave Villa a sniff. Assured at the back, four goals up top. Decent. Everton at home next Sunday. I am thankful it is not at Goodison, having previously thought that it was. That really could have dented our title chances. 8/10