Michael Carrick celebrated his first goal for Manchester United as Sir 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 winger Cristiano Ronaldo was presented with his Barclays player-of -the-month award before kick-off.

He marked the occasion by taking his tally to 13 goals with Ji-Sung Park also on target.

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.

There was a scare for United in the 26th minute when Gabriel Agbonlahor sprung the offside trap.

He homed in on goal but Edwin van der Sar stood tall to make a good block and keep United's two-goal advantage.

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 boss Martin O'Neill was left shaking his head in disbelief at a series of errors.

United were controlling the midfield and Paul Scholes released Carrick in the 43rd minute but he lofted his effort high over the bar.

A minute later Wayne Rooney should have extended their lead after good work by Ronaldo.

The England striker turned quickly on the edge of the area only to drag his effort wide of the post.

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.

Larsson came close to scoring in the 72nd minute when he got away from Liam Ridgewell on the edge of the area.

He rattled in a shot but Sorensen got down quickly to turn his effort away at the post.

A minute later Rooney was out of luck his curler from 20 yards coming back off the bar.

Larsson came off in the 79th minute and was replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who scored a late winner in the cup victory last weekend. While United failed to add to their first-half tally the victory keeps Chelsea at arm's length.

Teams:

Man Utd Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo,Carrick (O'Shea 80), Scholes, Park (Saha 65), Rooney,Larsson (Solskjaer 80).

Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Giggs.

Booked: Rooney.

Goals: Park 11, Carrick 13, Ronaldo 35.

Aston Villa Sorensen, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Cahill,Bouma (Samuel 46), Hughes (Davis 46), McCann, Osbourne, Barry,Agbonlahor, Baros.

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Hendrie, Angel.

Booked: Barry.

Goals: Agbonlahor 52.

Att: 76,073

Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).