Rooney brace wins United points

Rooney bounced back from England's Euro 2008 disappointment in Russia to help the Red Devils chalk up a seventh successive win in the Barclays Premier League - and only a saved penalty denied him a hat-trick.

It moved United back into second place as they recovered from conceding their first league goal for 611 minutes to Gabriel Agbonlahor, against a Villa side who had Nigel Reo-Coker and goalkeeper Scott Carson sent off in the second period.

After 12 minutes Agbonlahor put Villa ahead. Craig Gardner over-hit his centre, but Ashley Young managed to keep the ball in play and his ball back into the box picked out Agbonlahor, whose glancing header flew into the net for his fourth league goal of the campaign.

After 36 minutes, though, Rooney equalised. He got in front of Zat Knight and Gardner to tuck away the easiest of chances at the far post from Nani's cross.

A minute before the interval Rooney put United ahead. Carlos Tevez's superb pass found him 12 yards out and he gave Carson no chance with a low drive.

In first half injury-time a goal from Rio Ferdinand increased United's their lead. Gerard Pique's header from a Nani corner was cleared by Young off the line, but Ferdinand reacted to the rebound first and Gardner only succeeded in turning his shot into the roof of the net via the crossbar.

Villa were reduced to 10 men after 60 minutes when Reo-Coker picked up his second yellow card for a late challenge on Oliveira Anderson.

Then Villa were left with only nine players when Carson brought down Tevez after 67 minutes and was red-carded.

Stuart Taylor came on for Young - and his first touch saw him save Rooney's low spot-kick. But United were not to be denied and with 16 minutes left Laursen could only head Ryan Giggs' deflected shot past Taylor.