The 2013 English Premiership title chase is all over: The coveted trophy will decorate the cabinet of legendary Manchester United for the next one year after they dethroned “noisy neighbours” Manchester City tonight after thrashing hapless Aston Villa 3-0 at Old Trafford.

It took only two minutes for rampant Robin Van Persie to start the demolition job after finishing a Ryan Giggs’ cross from close range.

Eleven minutes later, RVP, who is in hot contention for the highest goal scorer award, doubled the lead with what has been described as easily one of the goals of the season. Operating from the right, Wayne Rooney looped a breathtaking long-range pass from just inside his own half. RVP got the better of his markers to meet the ball in the air with his left leg and volley into the far side of the net beyond goalie Guzan.

Within only 33 minutes Van Persie had completed a hat trick. Fed inside the six yards box by Giggs, the Ducth terror shot high into the net beyond three Villa men on the line after Guzan had already rushed out in a vain bid to prevent the goal.

With this victory, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have amassed 84 points to maintain their 15-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, thus establishing an unassailable lead that automatically crowned them champions with six games to end the season. This is the direct opposite of what happened last season United threw away an eight-point lead and lost the title on the final day.

And so it’s now 20 Premiership titles for United and 13 under the great Sir Ferguson.

•Photo shows RVP doing what he knows best.