Manchester United are clinging on to the coat tails of Chelsea in the Premiership title race after Ryan Giggs struck for the second time in 48 hours to secure victory at Villa Park.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side will enter the New Year nine points adrift of the Blues but will believe they can make inroads into that lead in 2005 if Giggs maintains his current form.

The Welsh international looks as if he has gained a new lease of life and on this form it is imperative the Red Devils find a solution to the deadlock over a new contract for the winger.

United have now collected 22 points from their last eight matches with only a last-gasp equaliser by Fulham denying them a maximum haul.

They were not at their imperious best but were still in control for long periods against an injury-ravaged Villa who, in the words of manager David O'Leary, are "down to the bare bones."

They will view it as dismal December after taking only one point in six matches and it is vital that chairman Doug Ellis gives O'Leary sufficient funds to bolster his squad in January.

O'Leary remains optimistic Southampton striker James Beattie will be heading to Villa Park but he needs three or four players to supplement one of the smallest squads in the Premiership.

United seized the initiative from the first whistle and Wayne Rooney soon seized on to a pass from John O'Shea after a mistake by Liam Ridgewell.

The England striker's low shot was struck firmly across Villa 'keeper Thomas Sorensen but he was able to save albeit at the second attempt.

Villa rallied briefly and midfielder Lee Hendrie tested Roy Carroll who was forced to parry his curling effort around the post after being found in space by Nolberto Solano's pass.

But it was a brief lull in United's dominance with Giggs looking so full of confidence. One mazy run ended with a left-footed drive which deflected off Ulises De la Cruz and landed on the top of Sorensen's goal.

Then Sorensen had to react sharply to tip Giggs' 12-yard drive over the bar.

It was now virtually one-way traffic towards the Villa goal and a Scholes shot was deflected wide after a poor clearance by Ridgewell had set up the opportunity.

Carroll atoned for his own error after 39 minutes when his throw-out was deflected into the path of Solano.

His cross picked out the run of Ridgewell whose header was blocked at close range by the Northern Ireland 'keeper.

Then after 41 minutes United took the lead through a move started and finished by the impressive Giggs.

He played the ball out to John O'Shea on the right flank, then moved forward to take the return pass before drilling his left-footed shot past Sorensen.

A fine pass from Solano picked out Carlton Cole inside the United penalty area early in the second period but his first touch let him down and O'Shea was able to intercept.

Giggs continued to look menacing and Alan Smith failed to make a full contact on a cross from the winger and a relieved Sorensen was able to collect.

O'Shea was taken off after 59 minutes after picking up a thigh injury and replaced by Roy Keane and then shortly afterwards Rooney made way for Cristiano Ronaldo who almost made an instant impact with a dipping drive which flashed inches wide.

There was not the same excitement in the second period with United generally in command although Juan Pablo Angel flashed a 20 yarder just past Carroll's post.

Smith should have added a second goal in injury-time but from five yards out struck the bar with the goal at his mercy.

Teams

Aston Villa Sorensen, De la Cruz, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Barry, Solano, Hendrie (Whittingham 67), Berson (Stefan Moore 87), Davis, Angel, Cole (Luke Moore 54).

Subs Not Used: Drobny, Postma.

Man Utd Carroll, O'Shea (Keane 60), Ferdinand, Silvestre, Heinze, Fletcher, Phil Neville, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney (Ronaldo 61), Smith.

Subs Not Used: Bellion, Miller, Howard.

Booked: Ferdinand, O'Shea, Heinze.

Goals: Giggs 41.

Att: 42,593

Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).