MANCHESTER United rolled over Aston Villa 4-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday to open a six-point lead atop the English Premier League standings with six games to play.

Meanwhile, Arsenal rallied for a 3-2 win at Bolton to keep the English title race alive.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored United’s first goal on an audacious backheel, nudging the ball between the legs of Villa defender Martin Laursen after 17 minutes at Old Trafford. The Portuguese winger, who had missed Portugal’s midweek game because of “injury,” also set up strikes for Carlos Tevez (33rd) and Wayne Rooney (53rd and 70th).

Ronaldo’s goal was his 35th of the season in all competitions, and if the team goes all the way to the European Champions League final in Moscow in May, he could catch or overtake Denis Law as Manchester United’s all-time scoring leader.

The former Scotland great holds the mark with 46 goals.

United’s 24th victory gives the defending champion 76 points from 32 games. It holds a six-point lead over Arsenal with six rounds of matches to go. Chelsea has 68 points and can regain second from the Gunners by beating Middlesbrough at home.

While United cruised, Arsenal came back from two goals and a man down at Bolton, where it had lost three seasons in a row.

Matt Taylor scored twice for the home side in the first half and Arsenal had midfielder Abou Diaby sent off in the 31st minute for an ugly, studs-up challenge on Gretar Steinsson.

William Gallas replied for the 10-man Gunners in the 62nd minute, Robin van Persie netted a penalty six minutes later and Bolton defender Jlloyd Samuel deflected a cross from Alexander Hleb into his own net.

Last place Derby was guaranteed relegation after drawing 2-2 with Fulham and 17th-placed Birmingham beat Manchester City 3-1.

(SD-Agencies)