Man Utd show bite and tighten grip on top three spotpublished at 21:10 23 March
Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Villa Park
Manchester United were given a huge boost before they had even kicked a ball when Chelsea's late winner went in at Etihad Stadium, inflicting a costly defeat on rivals Manchester City earlier on Sunday.
It was added motivation as United knew they would move seven points clear with victory at Villa Park and firm up their position in the top three.
Manager Marc Skinner stressed afterwards that their work was far from complete but admitted he felt good after an impressive evening in Birmingham.
Proof of United's dominance was in the 4-0 scoreline as they put Aston Villa to the sword and bounced back emphatically from their defeat at Liverpool last weekend.
Defensively sound, dangerous in wide areas and clinical in front of goal - it was a solid performance from Skinner's side, albeit against struggling opponents.
Elisabeth Terland shone with two goals, while Grace Clinton and Leah Galton's efforts paid off when they extended United's tally.
Villa struggled to compete and never found a way back into the game. This was a United team with a point to prove and they made it impressively.
