Man United 3 Aston Villa 0 - match report

The deadly Dutchman's first-half treble ruthlessly dismantled Villa to keep Paul Lambert's men just three points above the drop zone.

United celebrated a record 20^th title and put another dent in Villa's already poor goal difference – now four worse than Wigan's.

They improved after the break but the game was already lost as Andi Weimann saw Van Persie clear his header off the line and Christian Benteke was denied by David De Gea.

Gabby Agbonlahor returned after missing the 1-1 draw with Fulham with a groin injury as Jordan Bowery dropped to the bench.

Villa's bold selection was a statement of intent but United wrestled an iron grip on the game – and the title – within two minutes.

Wayne Rooney started a sweeping move involving Antonio Valencia and Rafael and when the latter swung in a deep cross Ryan Giggs teed up Van Persie for a tap in.

It was the Dutchman's 26th goal of the season and he almost had a second when he flashed a volley over from Valencia's cross.

Rafael smashed the post from 20-yards with United intent on finishing the game – and the title race – quickly.

But Benteke could have stunned the hosts when he raced onto Weimann's pass and curled over after Phil Jones' mistake.

And it proved costly as United went 2-0 up after just 13 minutes with Rooney and Van Persie combining to devastating effect.

Rooney sprayed a glorious 50-yard pass over the top for Van Persie, who had peeled away, to smash a rocket of a first-time volley into the bottom corner from 20-yards.

Villa had no answer to United's rampant attacks and while they held on for another 20 minutes Van Persie still claimed his hat-trick.

Kagawa's pass sliced Villa apart and Giggs crossed for Van Persie to waltz around the exposed Brad Guzan and fire in via the post.

Karim El Ahmadi replaced the ineffective Charles N'Zogbia at the break and Villa almost pulled one back two minutes into the half when Van Persie nodded Weimann's header off the line.

It was a vast improvement from Villa and De Gea saved Benteke's drive after El Ahmadi robbed Rooney.

United were cruising and began to get sloppy in the process, passes went astray and their relentless first-half tempo died.

De Gea tipped over El Ahmadi's dipping drive with 17 minutes to go before Kagawa should have added a fourth but blazed over after giving Nathan Baker the slip.

El Ahmadi's late free kick was easily claimed by De Gea and minutes later United celebrated regaining the Premier League crown.