The three points did not arrive without controversy, however, as Ashley Young's theatrical tumble in the penalty area under minimal contact allowed Wayne Rooney to settle the hosts' nerves with a seventh-minute spot-kick.
Villa, who are still in danger of relegation, offered little and United stretched their lead just before half-time through Danny Welbeck's close-range finish.
"It was a good result, we played some really good stuff although we were careless at stages but the third goal killed it," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
"There could be twists and turns along the way but we now need to enjoy ourselves. We can never be too confident, my experience says that something could come and bite you in the backside and we want to avoid that."
United had seen their eight-point lead reduced to two in the space of a week courtesy of defeat at Wigan and City's return to form so failure to beat Villa would have opened the door for their rivals who they must still visit this month.
Once Rooney tucked his penalty past Shay Given for his 23rd Premier League goal of the campaign, Ferguson's side never looked in any danger against a modest Villa.
It was the second home game in succession that Young had been involved in a "diving" controversy after his part in United's penalty against Queens Park Rangers last week that resulted in Shaun Derry being sent off.
"I think he played for the penalty," Ferguson conceded. "He has definitely taken a fall, it was a dramatic fall and he overdid it but it's a penalty definitely, no doubt about it."
