Source: Eurosport
Late Macheda magic sinks Villa
Substitute Federico Macheda scored a spectacular late winner as Manchester United conjured up a sensational 3-2 win over Aston Villa.
Everything appeared to be going to Sir Alex Ferguson's plan when Ronaldo fired an under-strength United ahead on 14 minutes, but without Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand the home side looked far from assured and two headed goals - one in each half - looked to have fired Villa to victory.
However Ronaldo, who had been quiet, smashed home his second goal of the game at Old Trafford to level the game at 2-2 before youngster Macheda curled in a superb winner deep in stoppage time to hand United a victory.
The win leaves the champions top of the pile - a point clear of Liverpool with a game in hand.
Villa started well and Jonny Evans slid in to turn a low cross from Nicky Shorey behind for a corner which created more panic in the United box when John Carew got his head to it.
Unfortunately for the Midlands outfit, Darren Fletcher was stationed by the near post and the Scotland star touched Carew's effort onto the woodwork with his knee as the hosts escaped.
United had barely been in Villa's half but when James Milner got his wires crossed with Brad Friedel, the keeper was forced to handle a backpass inside his own box.
Villa were fearful of the danger, with Milner booked for charging out of the wall too early. They were right to be wary too as Ryan Giggs rolled the ball square a couple of inches and Ronaldo whipped the ball into the roof of the net at fearsome speed.
Giggs came close to grabbing another goal before Edwin van der Sar pulled off a superb full-length save to deny Ashley Young, whose own free-kick was hit with as much venom as Ronaldo had managed earlier.
Villa were worthy of an equaliser and it arrived after half an hour, with United's defence looking at themselves after allowing first Gareth Barry, then Carew too much space.
When the midfielder wriggled out of a three-man tackle by the touchline, he spotted Carew had moved into a large amount of space between Gary Neville and John O'Shea and the Norwegian striker calmly steered his header wide of Van der Sar.
And Villa took the lead just before the hour mark. Ronaldo was robbed of the ball and Gabriel Agbonlahor was brave as he headed home from five yards after Carew's lofted ball in from the left.
With time ticking away and United seemingly runing out of ideas Ronaldo controlled a pass on the edge of the penalty area before expertly crashing a left-foot shot into the corner past Brad Friedel for his 15th league goal of the season.
Fletcher then fizzed an effort over the bar before Ronaldo fired another thunderbolt over and sub Danny Welbeck was denied by Friedel in a late flurry.
But United were not finished and Macheda engineered a Cruyff turn on the edge of the box before curling a shot inside the upright to send Old Trafford into raptures.
