LONDON, Dec 17: Manchester United slashed Chelsea’s Premier League lead to six points on Saturday with a 2-0 victory at Aston Villa. With the champions facing a tough trip to London rivals Arsenal on Sunday, United needed to keep up the pressure with a win and a goal in each half by strikers Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney ensured they did so.

Chelsea have 43 points from 16 games with United on 37 points from 17 matches. Third-placed Liverpool, on 31 points, are in Japan taking part in the Club World Championship.

United quickly took control of the first half at Villa Park and almost opened the scoring when South Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung fired against the post.

Two minutes later Van Nistelrooy put them in front when he collected a Darren Fletcher pass, shrugged off his marker and lifted the ball over Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.

Rooney added a second with an emphatic finish from Park’s pass five minutes into the second half.

Results:

Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 2

Everton 0 Bolton Wanderers 4

Fulham 2 Blackburn Rovers 1

Portsmouth 1 West Bromwich 0

Wigan Athletic 3 Charlton Athletic 0

—Reuters