United late show books ticket to round four

Opening Goal
By Chris O'Brien
January 6 2008

Manchester United secured another victory over Aston Villa with a pleasing 2-0 away victory on Saturday evening. Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were on the scoresheet as United booked their place in the fourth round of the F.A Cup - knocking the Villains out for the fourth time in the last seven seasons!

New England boss Fabio Capello was watching on from the stands and he saw Rooney enter the fray on 70 minutes and change the direction of a game that often looked destined for stalemate.

The England striker added fresh impetus into United's attack and they had the lead just eleven minutes after his arrival. Ronaldo kept up his incredible goalscoring form as he turned home a Ryan Giggs cross to the delight of the travelling masses.

Rooney then put the tie beyond doubt with an excellent 89th-minute strike that booked the Red Devils a spot in the last 32 of the competition. The goal completed an impressive late show from United who had looked like drawing a blank for much of the game.

Sir Alex Ferguson can now look forward to the fourth round draw with Havant & Waterlooville, who face a replay, the only non-league club left in the hat following an exciting day of Cup action. Oldham Athletic's win against Everton, Coventry's emphatic win at Blackburn and Huddersfield's victory against Blackburn were just three of a number of surprise results.

Full Time - Aston Villa 0-2 Manchester United
Attendance - 33,630