Ferguson hails fresh Giggs as United's weapon

Alex Ferguson hailed another superb performance from a revitalised Ryan Giggs after Manchester United rose to third in the table but still nine points off leaders Chelsea.

Giggs was given a rest last month and is now back playing with the zest and enthusiasm.

His surging runs terrorised Aston Villa's defence and he capped a man-of-the-match performance with his 41st-minute goal to give United a 1-0 win.

Ferguson said: "Ryan has been in absolutely fantastic form. His penetration was something that Villa could not handle and he was a constant threat to them. Ryan needed his rest last month because we did keep playing him in the early part of the season. Now he is fresh and we are getting the benefit of that."

United have now collected 22 points from their last eight matches to ensure that Chelsea cannot just keep Arsenal in mind as title rivals.

Ferguson believes Villa could do United a favour in the title run-in, with Jose Mourinho's side and Arsenal still to visit Villa Park.

He said: "Villa played good football and have a great appetite with young players who are not afraid. They stretched us at times and we had to show our character to get through it.

"I look at that fixture and say 'we have been here, it is a difficult place to come and Arsenal and Chelsea have to come here'. It will be interesting because when Villa get their players back from injury they will be a real handful. This is a significant result for us.