BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP) -- Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes secured a 3-0 win for Premiership leaders Manchester United away to Aston Villa here on Saturday despite manager Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to rest striker Wayne Rooney.

The England international was omitted for the first time in his short Premiership career but United did not miss the ex-Everton striker after two devastating strikes from their midfielders.

Ronaldo condemned Aston Villa to their seventh game without a win with the opener before Scholes unleashed his own contender for goal of the season with a quite brilliant volley.

Portugal international Ronaldo added a second with five minutes left to hammer it home to Villa manager Martin O'Neill that he desperately needs squad reinforcements.

United looked in danger of dropping precious points in their title bid to rivals Chelsea after a labored first-half performance but they were saved by two moments of brilliance to pile the pressure on the reigning champions ahead of their late kickoff game at Wigan.

Rooney has never been dropped before when available in the Premiership and Ferguson's decision to keep him fresh for the Christmas period initially appeared questionable.

Ryan Giggs was given a more forward role to partner French striker Louis Saha but United were crying out for more firepower.

Villa's record against Ferguson's men is unimpressive. They have failed to beat United in 16 League and Cup matches, since a 3-0 triumph in the third round of the League Cup on October 13 1999, with their last home Premiership victory over the Red Devils on August 19 1995.

Although Villa are now 22 points worse off than United they nearly stunned the league leaders in the 14th minute.

Gareth Barry's free-kick was flicked on by Chris Sutton and young midfielder Craig Gardner headed against the post.

But United produced a determined response and Gavin McCann was nearly forced into deflecting Giggs's cross into his own net before Patrice Evra tested Gabor Kiraly, the Villa goalkeeper, with a low drive.

And in the 38th minute the much maligned Ronaldo danced his way through the home defense before driving narrowly wide from a tight angle.

Villa were tidy in their approach work but they still lack a proven predator and chairman Randy Lerner must be acutely aware that O'Neill will need strong financial backing in the January transfer window.

It looked as if Ferguson's gamble on resting Rooney would have a key bearing on the title race until Ronaldo's devastating finish just before the hour.

The winger once again mesmerized the Villa defense on the edge of the area and although his initial shot was blocked by Gary Cahill he lashed an unstoppable shot past Kiraly from the rebound.

Then Scholes powered in an incredible volley from 20 yards in off the crossbar as United finally made their superiority count.

Ronaldo thought he had added a third from Rooney - on as a 66th minute substitute -- but he was flagged offside. But he did turn in Gary Neville's cross at the death to round off a satisfactory afternoon for the visitors.