LONDON (AFP) - Derby defeats for Birmingham City and Sunderland left them fearing for their English Premier League futures as Aston Villa and Newcastle inflicted painful reverses Sunday.

Villa crushed Birmingham 5-1 to keep their city rivals stuck in the relegation zone while Michael Owen scored both goals as the Magpies won the north-east derby 2-0, leaving Sunderland just five points above the drop.

In Sunday's other match, Manchester City beat visitors Portsmouth 3-1 to put a dent in FA Cup finalists Pompey's hopes of overtaking Everton in the race for the league's UEFA Cup spot.

At St James's Park, Owen scored a fourth-minute header then earned and finished off a penalty on the stroke of half time.

However, the England striker was reluctant to discuss his long-term future on Tyneside as contract negotiations loom.

"Talks haven't begun yet, the manager has pulled me to one side and said he wants me to stay and the club would be in touch soon and that's where we stand," the Newcastle captain said.

"I haven't spoken to the club yet but obviously I would think in the close season then maybe they will approach me or my advisor."

Sunderland boss Roy Keane was left to reflect on a defeat that left his team just five points above the drop zone with three games remaining.

"At this level, you tend to find the teams around the bottom, we seem to give the teams nearer the top a helping hand," the combative Irishman said.

"We have done that is so many games this season. We did it last weekend and we have done it again today. They were two really bad goals to concede."

Ashley Young was the star at Villa Park, scoring two goals and playing a part in two others for Norway striker John Carew.

Mikael Forssell pulled one back for the visitors but Gabriel Agbonlahor added a late fifth for Villa.

Birmingham are one point from safety with three games left.

"We thought we could get something from Villa Park by being organised and tight, but they played fantastically, and their front men caused havoc," said Blues manager Alex McLeish.

"John Carew was unplayable and, let's be honest, Villa have a different agenda to us -- and they are a better side than us."

Villa boss Martin O'Neill said: "I think we have been creating chances all season. Now they are starting to fly in, and only Manchester United have scored more goals than us."

At Eastlands, Manchester City got off to a great start, with Darius Vassell capitalising on a mix-up and Martin Petrov scoring before John Utaka pulled one back for Portsmouth.

Hermann Hreidarsson was sent off for pulling down Vassell and in the second half, former Pompey striker Benjani Mwaruwari completed the victory with a 74th-minute strike.

City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson said he was due to have talks soon with the club's owner, the former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, following his recent criticism of the Swede.

"He said something, if he means it or not I don't know, I will see him next week," the former England boss said.

"This was important for the team, the club, the fans and with three games to play, we still have a small possibility to play in Europe so that's good."

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp groaned: "We gave two terrible goals away and had a mountain to climb."

On Saturday, Manchester United needed a late goal from Argentina striker Carlos Tevez to earn a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers.

The result left United three points clear of the Blues ahead of their crunch clash at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge next Saturday.

Elsewhere, Liverpool won 2-0 at Fulham while Arsenal beat visitors Reading by the same score.

Bolton Wanderers hauled themselves out of the drop zone with a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough and Wigan drew 1-1 with Tottenham. West Ham beat visitors Derby 2-1.

Chelsea won 1-0 at Everton on Thursday to keep the pressure on United.