Manchester Utd 3 Aston Villa 1: Michael Carrick celebrated his first goal for Manchester United as Alex Ferguson's side cemented their place at the top of the table.

The £18million buy from Tottenham may have taken time to open his account but the midfielder is certainly not fazed by the big stage. Old Trafford hosted a record crowd of 76,073 as United continued to put the squeeze on Chelsea.

However Villa made it easy for them with some shocking defending and have now failed to win in 12 games.

United ran the show from the off and Henrik Larsson almost made the breakthrough in the fourth minute after being set up by Gary Neville. The on-loan striker peeled away from his marker to power in a header that was superbly tipped away by Thomas Sorensen.

United took the lead in the 11th minute after Gary Cahill's miskick six yards out. Park was first to react and found the corner with his effort for his first goal of the season.

United made in 2-0 two minutes later with Carrick' finally showing his scoring prowess. He took a ball from Park in his stride and sent in a half-volley that went under Sorensen's body.

United went 3-0 ahead in the 34th minute after Park won possession off Gavin McCann. The Korea midfielder found Carrick and his cross was headed home at the far post for Ronaldo to score his 13th goal of the season.

Villa reduced the deficit after 51 minutes when Agbonlahor scored from close range after a good run and cross from Milan Baros.

Rooney was putting in a hard shift with little reward and came close to finding the target after 63 minutes. He carved out an opening for himself but Sorensen was equal to his effort from an acute angle.

United threw on an additional striker a minute later with Louis Saha replacing goalscorer Park. The Frenchman has made a swift recovery from the groin injury he suffered only 12 days ago at Newcastle.

Saha was quickly into action and saw his goal-bound effort blocked on the line by Cahill as United stepped up the pressure.