Aston Villa - 0 Manchester Utd - 2: No last hurrah for Aston Villa and little pre-Cup final cheer for Millwall. Manchester United saw to that on Saturday with a confident performance which belied their recent loss of form.
Aided by poor Villa defending, the team that Alex Ferguson may well field at the Millennium Stadium deprived David O'Leary's side of the UEFA Cup place which United's presence in the final, as Champions League regulars, has already guaranteed their Nationwide opponents.
Given the renewed assurance in Manchester United's passing and movement, and in particular the performances of Cristiano Ronaldo and Darren Fletcher, Millwall cannot be sure of much else. Even the fact that both Ronaldo and Fletcher were sent off, which would normally have been a poor portent a week before an FA Cup final, was mitigated by the knowledge that they were dismissed by Rob Styles, who is a red card waiting to happen.
Altogether Styles flashed nine yellow cards plus the two reds. It was like giving out detentions on the last day of term.
Ronaldo was cautioned for diving, although Ulises De la Cruz might have clipped his heel, and Fletcher for kicking the ball away at a free-kick. Then Fletcher lunged high at Thomas Hitzlsperger and duly departed, followed by Ronaldo who, caught offside, almost absent-mindedly lobbed the ball into the net.
Fortunately for United they lost Fletcher and Ronaldo in the last 15 minutes. Even so Villa, much revived in the second half, with Gareth Barry's shot saved by Tim Howard's legs, had two goals disallowed as they tried to push and nudge their way into Europe against shrinking opposition.
Certainly Ronaldo and Fletcher did more than enough to suggest themselves capable of distinguishing themselves at this year's FA Cup final and it seems reasonable to assume both will take some part in the occasion.
Fletcher took the injured Roy Keane's role in central midfield on Saturday and looked the part, with strong runs to support the attack and well-timed interventions. If Keane, given until tomorrow by Ferguson to resume training, misses out Fletcher will again deputise in Cardiff.
Ronaldo, allowed generous space by Villa's defenders, revelled in the opportunity to use his skills and still caused problems even when the marking became tighter. The Portuguese opened the scoring in the fourth minute after Fletcher, intercepting a poor clearance from De la Cruz, had sent him in from the right.
Thomas Sorensen, caught by the speed and swerve of Ronaldo's shot, did not have time to cover his near post.
Six minutes later Ridgewell failed to cut out Scholes's long dipping ball from the left, leaving van Nistelrooy to score one of his easier goals.
ASTON VILLA: Sorensen, De la Cruz, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel, Hendrie (Whittingham 75), McCann, Hitzlsperger, Barry (Dublin 82), Angel, Crouch (Allback 57). Subs Not Used: Delaney, Postma. Booked: Angel, Samuel, Hendrie, Hitzlsperger.
MAN UTD: Howard, Gary Neville, Brown, Silvestre, O'Shea (Djemba-Djemba 73), Ronaldo, Fletcher, Phil Neville, Giggs, Scholes, van Nistelrooy (Saha 61). Subs Not Used: Carroll, Kleberson, Solskjaer. Sent Off: Fletcher (75), Ronaldo (85). Booked: Ronaldo, Fletcher, Scholes. Goals: Ronaldo 4, van Nistelrooy 10.
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).
