Karim El Ahmadi and Marc Albrighton both had David de Gea on alert early on but Villa went behind in the 15th minute, and did little to change mind sets after that.
Valencia and Rafael came forward in torrents down the right flank, with Rooney instrumental in the quick interchanges, and Valencia tormenting left back Antonio Luna, who found himself extremely isolated by Gabriel Agbonlahor’s determination to make possession pay in United's half by supporting Christian Benteke in attack. Indeed, the inability of Villa’s midfield to counter the threat is reminiscent of the doziness of United's midfield of recent times.
Both Welbeck’s goals were sourced from United's right flank, and there could have been more from the same source before half-time had United been more clinical. Rafael sent over a wonderful cross, after hard running and battling down that magical right flank.
Adnan Januzaj climbed to meet it with a magnificent header, with undertones of a Cristiano Ronaldo leap which thumped solidly off the base of a post and Welbeck reacted first to the rebound with his long leg getting the touch to send it firmly into the net, despite the close company of three Villa defenders.
Almost immediately they were 2-0 up. Cleverley and Welbeck combined in midfield to release Valencia and Welbeck was first to the low cross, sliding fractionally in ahead of Januzaj to guide it into the top corner.
Cleverly made it three in the 52nd minute after an excellent through ball by Valencia who had cut inside to midfield and spotted Cleverly's intelligent run. Cleverly went beyond the shoulders to collect Valencia's post and coolly side-footed inside the near post past Brad Guzan.
Darren Fletcher came on for Giggs and contributed a cool, composed showing in the last twenty minutes in which he was heavily involved in keeping possession, and assuring United's dominance.