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United reduce Chelsea's advantage
 Van Nistelrooy's 13th goal of the season set United up for another win BIRMINGHAM, England -- Manchester United have slashed Chelsea's Premier League lead to six points with a 2-0 victory at Aston Villa. United needed to keep up the pressure with a win and a goal in each half by strikers Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney ensured they did so. Champions Chelsea, who have 43 points from 16 games, face a tough trip to London rivals Arsenal on Sunday. United now have 37 points while third-placed Liverpool, on 31 points, are currently in Japan taking part in the Club World Championship. United quickly took control of the first half and almost opened the scoring when South Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung fired against the post. Two minutes later Van Nistelrooy put them in front when he collected a Darren Fletcher pass, shrugged off his marker and lifted the ball over Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen for his 13th goal of the season. Rooney added a second with an emphatic finish from Park's pass five minutes into the second half. Villa's best effort came 10 minutes later when Czech striker Milan Baros struck the bar after a neat cross from substitute striker Juan Pablo Angel. United, though, finished the match in exhibition mode with Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo producing some party tricks to provide a cross that Van Nistelrooy ought to have headed in, not wide. The victory was a further morale-boost to Alex Ferguson's side after their costly Champions League exit. On Wednesday they thrashed Wigan Athletic 4-0. "It was great performance today," said Van Nistelrooy. "We are just getting momentum. When you win confidence grows. We want to continue our form and the run that we're making now. Then, who knows what will happen. We've done our job, that's the most important thing." United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for his team's performance. "I'm really pleased with the performance. We could have scored more, some of the attacking play was very good. He added: "Sunday's match at Highbury is very difficult to call, It could go any way. The only thing I do know is that Arsenal have a great record against Chelsea at home and their home record has been good this year. "We're nine points behind Chelsea if they win that game. It's a long way, but what we can do is to make sure we win our games and if we do and if Chelsea slip up hopefully we will be the team nearest to them." Villa manager David O'Leary gave a brutally honest assessment of his side's defeat. "I just thought we were outplayed, outclassed by a team that's flying," he said. "I've got to give them credit. There are no excuses on our part." 
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