Premiership: Van Nistlerooy gives United the points

Ruud van Nistelrooy's 19th goal of the season was enough to earn Manchester United all three points from their Old Trafford clash with Aston Villa.

Manchester United extend their lead at the top of the Premiership to five points, for a couple of hours at least, and will certainly thank George Boateng for a woeful error that gifted the Dutchman the winner.

Boateng won the ball just outside his penalty area, but tried to dribble out of trouble and presented the ball to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Mark Delaney's wonderful tackle nipped the ball away from the Norwegian, but it fell to van Nistelrooy and, with Peter Schmeichel stranded, he simply slid the ball home.

It was the only goal of the game and despite some late possession by the visitors, United never looked like surrendering the lead.

The home side dominated the first-half possession and played some wonderful build-up play. Their passing was smooth and running was clever, but the final ball and finishing was not what you would expect from the league leaders.

They came closest to opening the scoring after only four minutes in a chance that summed up the first 45 minutes. Van Nistelrooy found himself free on goal after a delightful through ball, but with 60,000 fans certain he would find the net, he dragged his shot 20 yards wide.

Peter Schmeichel can hardly have believed that he'd spend the first half of his return to Old Trafford as a spectator, not once called into action.

Yet it took just five second-half minutes for van Nistelrooy to give them the lead and another six minutes later, he almost had another. He turned Steve Staunton beautifully and closed on goal. His rasping angled drive beat Schmeichel, but drifted inches the wrong side of the post.

Graham Taylor threw on young German Thomas Hitzlsperger for only his second outing in the Premiership and he had Villa's best chance, linking nicely with Angel before unleashing a low drive that Fabien Barthez did well to hold on to.

That was as good as it got for the visitors. New England hero Darius Vassell, one late run apart, was quiet, although his pace was neutralised by his deployment on the wing.

It was not a vintage Manchester United performance, but with Ryan Giggs rested ahead of Tuesday's European action, three points was the order of the day. One further plus point for Fergie's side was the return of defender Ronny Johnsen, whose late appearance was his first since October for the Premiership leaders.