From one in three to three in one, the goals have at least returned for Manchester United. This was a display far removed from the insipid performances of recent weeks, full of attacking threat and decisive end-product. All in the absence of Robin van Persie.

The old order has been restored, for the time being. This was a victory more comprehensive than the 3-2 triumph at Villa Park last season, and all the more impressive given what preceded it.

David Moyes's side were lambasted for their ineffectiveness in one-goal home defeats against Everton and Newcastle. Even their success over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League was tainted, yet here strength returned in abundance.

Van Persie, the striker who scored 26 goals in the Premier League last season, is out for the next month with a thigh injury. The news that the Dutchman injured himself taking a corner and will sit out a busy period that includes six matches in the next three weeks was greeted with concern, and rightly so, but this performance served as a reminder that United still carry a potent threat without him.

Aston Villa's shortcomings, though, certainly contributed to the result. Paul Lambert's side crumbled, their defence coming under severe pressure throughout the match, with the exception of the opening 10 minutes.

How Antonio Valencia would like to play against Antonio Luna every week. The Ecuadorian produced a display that evoked memories of his performance against Villa in the 2010 League Cup final, when he terrorised the then left-back Stephen Warnock.

Valencia, who relinquished the No7 shirt at the beginning of the campaign, was a brooding presence on the right flank. He crossed precisely for Danny Welbeck to finish off the post for the second goal of the match and his pace and power was too much for Luna. But he was not the only United player who shone.

Wayne Rooney was again impressive, spraying immaculate long balls from left to right into Valencia's path on three occasions in the first half. Yet Rooney's form in recent months has been United's saving grace – the most encouraging aspect of Sunday afternoon for Moyes was that the forward was joined at the party by a number of his team-mates.

Welbeck had been United's forgotten man, but he was the standout talent. Having not scored in the Premier League since his double at Swansea City on the opening day of the season, his two goals here may have been long overdue but could hardly have come at a more crucial time for himself and his club.

Welbeck is arguably the player who may benefit most from Van Persie's absence. Playing ahead of Rooney and often receiving the ball deep and with his back to goal, as well as running in behind the Villa defence, his first effort was simple, the goal gaping and allowing him a straightforward finish after Adnan Januzaj's header rebounded off a post. His second, though, demonstrated more of a killer instinct and excellent timing, rushing in at pace to turn in Valencia's rapid cross from the right flank.

Welbeck's role for United could be key in the coming weeks, as he looks to find the goalscoring touch to accompany his link-up play outside the penalty area.

Moyes said of the England forward: "I think for Danny it's really important because he's a forward and needs to get himself goals.

"It's always been labelled at him. Today he got two poacher-type goals and he could have had another one."

Welbeck was a regular in the side under Sir Alex Ferguson last season but only scored one league goal. This term his role has been more fragmented, due to a persistent knee injury that ruled him out for more than a month.

The 23-year-old has had two previous operations on his knee and reports in November suggested that keyhole surgery may have been necessary to alleviate the problem further. That appears to have been avoided and Welbeck will hope to remain fit and take the opportunity to secure a regular place in the side, with one eye on the World Cup next year.

Moyes has admitted he will look to strengthen his squad when the chance arises, yet before the end of the January window United have seven league matches to contend with. Javier Hernández missed the victory over Villa and with Van Persie out for the foreseeable future Welbeck could feature prominently over the coming weeks.

What Moyes would give for more of the same.