Manchester United announced their return to their attacking best with a thumping 4-1 victory over Aston Villa in their Premiership match on Saturday.

United had went behind after conceding their first goal in seven matches when Gabriel Agbonlahor gave Villa an early lead in the 13th minute. However Wayne Rooney equalized in the 36th minute before scoring his second 8 minutes later to put United in front. Rio Ferdinand doubled the lead in the final minute of the half before Ryan Giggs grabbed the fourth in the 75th minute as Villa finished the match with just nine men on the field after Nigel Reo-Coker and Scott Carson were sent off.

Aston Villa looked on course for another upset when Agbonlahor put the hosts ahead with a glancing header from Ashley Young's cross in the 13th minute. However the defending champions took control of the match as Scholes, Rooney and Carlos Tevez all had chances to garb an equalizer.

The Villans' defense finally broke down in the 36th minute when Rooney latched on to a great cross from Nani to tap in the ball from close range. The English forward then combined brilliantly with his strike partner as he was played in by a great ball from Tevez and Rooney made no mistake from 12 yards out.

United grabbed a third goal in the final minute of the half when Ferdinand was the first to react to a poor clearance by Young to slot home from inside the penalty area. Things got worse for Villa when Reo-Coker received his second yellow card of the night seven minutes into the second half while Carson was shown a straight red after he fouled Carlos Tevez inside the area.

However Rooney failed to complete his hat trick as his spot kick was saved by Stuart Taylor. With Villa failing to create any real chances, the result was put beyond any doubt when Giggs grabbed the fourth in the 75th minute as his shot deflected off Laursen and into the net.