Source: PA
Rooney at the double in win
Wayne Rooney produced an instant response to Sir Alex Ferguson's demand for the Manchester United striker to reach double figures this season with a brace for the Premier League leaders in their 3-1 win over Aston Villa.
There were just 50 seconds on the clock when Edwin van der Sar launched a clearance deep into Villa territory from just outside his own area. Rooney took one touch to control, then belted the ball past Brad Friedel.
Having started the half by finding the net, it was appropriate Rooney should finish it that way too. Nani looked up and saw Rooney at the far post. The delivery was perfect, curling round the back of the Villa defence, too far out for Friedel to contemplate an interception, then dropping perfectly for Rooney, who tapped home with ease.
Yet what looked like an easy win, turned into a very nervous few minutes in the second half as Villa found some inspiration. Stewart Downing took out Rio Ferdinand with an excellent cross and Darren Bent did what Gerard Houllier paid £23million for, finishing with ease.
Nemanja Vidic is not noted for scoring with anything other than his head. But, having nodded the ball on to Rooney from a United corner, the Serbian hung around long enough to receive the return, striding on to it confidently before drilling past Friedel.
