1757: That's a marathon day's action over. Time for a recap. In the Premier League, Villa have boosted their UEFA Cup hopes with a crushing 5-1 win over local rivals Birmingham, who remain in the bottom three. Portmsouth lost 3-1 at Manchester City to lose ground in that race for fifth place. In the other top-flight game, Newcastle beat Sunderland 2-0 to leave the Mackems still sweating at the bottom. In Scotland, Rangers sneaked into the Scottish Cup final - they needed penalties to see off first division St Johnstone. They won 4-3 on spot kicks after the game had finished 1-1 after extra time. In the day's SPL game, Dundee United and Hibs drew 1-1 which leaves Motherwell ahead in the race to secure third place and with it a UEFA Cup spot.
1755: Mr Marriner blows the full-time whistle and City have beaten Portsmouth 3-1. It's a big blow to Portsmouth's hopes of securing fifth place, but it keeps City's alive. With three gams left, Everton have 61 points, Villa 58, Pompey 57 and City 55.
1754: City are just playing keep-ball here. They know three points are coming their way.
1753: Sven-Goran Eriksson eats up a little more of the clock by bringing on Felipe Caicedo for Elano.
1752: Defoe finds the net but the whistle had long since gone, correctly, for offside against the pint-sized striker.
1751: Time's almost up - we're into the last minute of normal time and City still lead Pompey 3-1.
1749: Lucien Aubey crosses from the left and the ball runs to fellow substitute Sean Davis. He lets fly from the edge of the box but Hart is equal to that powerful shot and tips the ball over.
1747: James comes out of his box again and heads clear. Not so calamitous this time from James who was responsible for the first City goal.
1745: Campbell underhits a back pass which almost lets in Benjani for another. However, James comes out and just gets to the ball first to clear the danger. Sloppy from the former England international defender.
1743: Back at Eastlands, Hart has just denied Pompey sub Milan Baros and it remains 3-1 to City with just eight minutes now remaining.
1742: Cousin rolls a low spot kick to Main's right and Rangers are in the final. They've won 4-3 on penalties after the game finished 1-1 after extra time. It was a great effort from first division St Johnstone but it is Rangers who will meet Queen of the South on May 24. The quadruple is still on.
1741: Alexander is the hero again! Morris goes to his right by the keeper dives to make the stop. Rangers now have a kick to win it.
1740: A superb penalty from Jackson in Alexander's right corner keeps St Johnstone's hopes alive. Then Hemdani steps up only to see Main dive to his left and make a fine save. 3-3 and all to play for.
1739: Milne's spot kick to Alexander's right is saved by the diving keeper. Advantage Rangers! Novo rams it home by sending his penalty high into the net. 3-2 Rangers after three kicks each.
1738: Whittaker steps up for Rangers and scores down the middle. Main dived left. 2-2 and everyone has scored so far.
1737: Davis nets for Rangers at Hampden and then Craig follows suit to make it 2-1 St Johnstone in the shoot-out.
1736: GOAL - BENJANI. The African gets away from Distin well and then picks his spot just inside James' near post. At last a good finish from Benjani! 3-1 City.
1735: The shoot-out is about to start. Neil Alexander will attempt to save the first from Sheerin. But he scores to the keeper's left. 1-0 St Johnstone.
1734: A trademark dangerous cross from Petrov from the left is headed away by Muntari.
1733: On the stretch, Benjani shoots wide as Campbell and Distin close in on him. His build-up play has once again been good today but his finishing leaves a lot to be desired.
1732: Now Lauren is in the book for sliding in on Williamson. He was lucky - it could have been red. He was over the top of the ball but also over his opponent as both slid in for the ball.
1730: That's extra time over at Hampden and it's finished 1-1. A penalty shoot-out will decide this Scottish Cup semi-final.
1728: At Hampden, Novo turns and hits a shot which cannons off Main's left-hand post. The keeper may have got a slight touch. The rebound looks set to fall to Buffel who is denied by a last-ditch challenge from Steven Anderson. The Rangers man wants a penalty but the ref says no. It could easily have been though - he didn't appear to get the ball.
1727: A yellow card for Williamson at Eastlands.
1726: Just four minutesleft at Hampden where it remains 0-0. Penalties will follow if it stays like this.
1725: Kranjcar runs at City's defence but after making his way into the area is converged upon by Ball and Corluka. The ball runs to Diop on the edge of the box but he shoots way over and into the stands.
1724: James comes off his line in a bid to punch but the ball doesn't go very far, straight to Johnson in fact. He drills a first-time shot on target but Muntari is there to make a vital block.
1723: Vassell finds space on the right of the Pompey box. He tries to beat James at his near post but that's the wrong option and he hits the side netting. Another good chance goes begging.
1722: Awful defending from Rangers' Dailly gifts possession to Milne. He surges into the box but then blazes over the bar.
1720: James will continue at Eastlands where City still lead 2-1. There could easily have been more goals in this game.
1719: At Hampden, Buffel fires off a shot but it's blocked for a Rangers corner.
1718: Now Pompey have injury problems - keeper James needs treatment behind the goal. Play stops.
1717: Twice Pomoey hit the post in the same move. Muntari skips past a defender and Hart tips his shot against the post. From the rebound Utaka comes in and hits the outside of the other upright. What a let-off for City! It's a good game. Who knows what will happen next?
1716: Another glorious chance for Benjani is missed. Petrov's shot is deflected into the Zimbabwean's path by Campbell. He brings the ball under control perfectly but then blazes over from just eight yards.
1715: Problems for Man City. Richard Dunne is having to come off. He'll be replaced by youngster Sam Williamson. It appears he'll go to left-back with Michael Ball filling in in the centre.
1714: That's half time in extra time. 15 minutes to go and it's 1-1 between Rangers and St Johnstone.
1713: Corner to St Johnstone back at Hampden. After a bit of head tennis, it's partially cleared. Irvine then puts in a good ball from the right but the shot from McBreen is over.
1712: Little to report in the early stages of the second half at Eastlands.
1711: GOAL - NOVO. The striker redeems himself by sending the ball past Main's right hand. The keeper went the right way but couldn't get to the ball. 1-1 and Rangers fans can breathe an audible sigh of relief.
1710:>/b> Penalty to Rangers! Gary Irvine tugs Cousin's arm and it's an easy decision for the ref.
1708: Rangers are trying to get the ball in the box but it's just not happening in there for them. Novo has been disappointing today and with Kris Boyd and Jean Claude Darcheville injured there's little on the bench.
B<>1705: Portsmouth get the game at Eastlands back under way. At 2-1 down with 10 men, they have it all to do. Muntari is now at left-back after that red card for Hreidarsson.
1704: Sheerin delivers another cross to McBreen. This time he heads back across goal and Davis turns it behind for a corner.
1702: You have to say they have deserved it. St Johnstone had chances in the second half of normal time and Rangers have lacked a cutting edge. They need a goal to keep their four-trophy bid alive.h
1701: GOAL - DANIEL McBREEN. St Johnstone take the lead at Hampden. Sheerin swings over a great cross from the left and fellow sub McBreen is there to nod home from 10 yards out. A real shock is on the cards now. 1-0.
1700: Novo does well to find space but then again mishits his shot. Poor from the Gers front man.
1658: Kirk Broadfoot comes for Smith at full-back for Rangers as extra time gets under way at Hampden. St Johnstone's players looked tired at the break there, so will Rangers' greater fitness prevail? We're about to find out.
1655: Portsmouth have it all to do at Eastlands if they are to get something out of their game with Manchester City - and the bookies don't rate their chances. Sky Bet's half-time prices have a City win on offer at 1/4, the draw at 7/2 and a come-from-behind victory for 10-man Pompey 17/2. If Portsmouth are to get back into the match then lone striker Defoe is the most likely outlet and he's 9/2 to score at some point in the second half.
1653: Injury-time corner to the Gers. Main makes a superb catch though. He's been excellent for St Johnstone. That's the last action and it's extra time at Hampden in this Scottish Cup semi. 0-0.
1652: That's the half-time whistle in Manchester where City lead 2-1 against the 10 men of Portsmouth.
1651: Back at Eastlands and Vassell almost makes it 3-1. Elano finds Benjani who touches on for Vassell. Running on to the ball, he hits a curling effort which is heading for the top corner until the back-pedalling James leaps to push up over the bar.
1650: In the last minute at Hampden and it's a corner to the men from Perth. Rangers deal with it though.
1649: Rangers are pressing in the closing stages at Hampden. Another corner and this one is headed by Dailly but straight at Main who catches the ball above his head.
1648: Corner to Rangers. Stanic fails to head away and Davis comes flying in with a header. However, Liam Craig is well placed on the line to clear.
1647: Buffel charges into the St Johnstone box by Kevin Rutkiewicz makes a last-gasp challenge to keep it 0-0.
1646: Diop continues the odd defending by booting over his own bar from the edge of his own penalty area.
1644: The free kick is wasted but City still lead 2-1 and now have more than half the game to play against 10 men.
1643: Red card at Eastlands and Hreidarsson is off! He had his hand around Vassell's neck as he tried to race through on to a pass. He was the last man and it's no surprise to see Andre Marriner send him off.
1642: Novo is again thwarted by Main, although the offside flag was up any way. The replay shows he was on though.
1641: Just 10 minutes to go at Hampden - it could well be extra time, which is not what Rangers want four days before their UEFA Cup semi.
1640: Back at Hampden, Rangers finally fashion a chance. Steven Whittaker's shot is turned around by Main, who has played well, for a corner. From it Dailly heads off target.
1639: Pompey and Defoe are almost let in b a shambolic pass from Michael Johnson but his team-mats helprecover the situation. The defending hasn't been great.
1638: A decent move from City produces a corner.
1636: Another great chance for Benjani. He's left in acres of space in the middle on the edge of the box. He opts to shoot early but can't beat James from 20 yards. Again he should have done better.
1634: Another free kick for St Johnstone in a dangerous spot just outside the box. Christian Dailly fouled Andy Jackson. The ball in is poor though.
1631: A header for Benjani - courtesy of Elano's long pass - is right in front of goal but straight at James. He should have done better there. He was stretching a little but either side of James and it was a goal.
1630: Substitute Paul Sheerin drags a left-foot shot wide of Alexander's post as St Johnstone press again at Hampden.
1627: GOAL - UTAKA. Pompey are back in the game. Diarra's corner was cleared back to him and from his second cross the ball comes off Defoe's shoulder. It drops to Utaka who nudges the ball past Hart who came out to meet him but got nowhere near the ball. Poor goalkeeping from the youngster and it's now 2-1. Pompey have a lifeline and it's game on.
1626: Sulley Muntari finds a bit of space on the edge of the box but Elano closes him down and manages to half block the shot and the ball runs away for a corner.
1625: Cousin miskicks after the ball drops to him inside the St Johnstone box at Hampden. Still 0-0 with 65 minutes gone.
1624: Nothing results from that flag kick and it remains 2-0 to City.
1623: Benjani skips to the left byline but Campbell comes across to make a fine challenge. Corner.
1622: St Johnstone win a free kick on the right just outside the box for handball. It's played in, Milne gets a touch and keeper Neil Alexander does well to get down and save.
1621: Corner to City but Pompey scramble it away.
1620: Diop gets up for a header at the back post but nods Hermann Hreidarsson's cross over the bar. He is injured in the process.
1618: Another chance for St Johnstone. Milne gets up for a header which goes over the bar. Rangers look a little shaky. Is their quadruple bid going to come off the rails against the most unlikely opponents?
1616: GOAL - PETROV. 2-0 City. Petrov jinks away from Lauren in the box and then opts to shoot with his right foot. James looks have the shot covered but it flicks off Sol Campbell to leave him wrong-footed and the ball runs into the net. What a couple of minutes we've had in Manchester!
1614: GOAL - VASSELL. City take the lead at Eastlands and what a howler from David James! He came out of his box for some reason and just got in a right mess, failing to clear. Benjani picks up the pieces and finds Ireland. With James out of his goal, Ireland shoots. His effort is poor but runs into Vassell's path and he slides in to score.
1613: At the other end, Novo shoots straight at keeper Main.
1612: Great opportunity for St Johnstone's Steven Milne. Hardie nods the ball into his path and he drives over the bar from 12 yards. He should have hit the target. That could easily have been a shock lead for the first division oufit.
1609: Niko Kranjcar tries to feed Jermain Defoe at Eastlands but Vedrun Corluka tracks his run and tidies up.
1608: The Super J's Martin Hardie lets fly with an ambitious shot which is always rising and flies over the Rangers bar.
1607: A chance for Novo at Hampden. His looping header is tipped over the bar though by Main and it remains goalless.
1606: From the resultant corner, Sylvan Distin gets up but heads past the post.1605: Joe Hart is forced into an early save. Papa Bouba Diop put his full weight behind a 35-yarder which served and needed a decent stop from the youngster.
1604: City get the game under way against Pompey. Meanwhile in Glasgow, the players are just coming out for the second half.
1600: They are going to be a bit late starting at the Eastlands.
1551: That's the final whistle at Tannadice and it's finished Dundee United 1 Hibs 1 - the fourth draw between the teams this season. It's good news for Motherwell who remain third in the SPL table on 52 points. Dundee United and Hibs both have 51. Motherwell have two games in hand but both are against Rangers so it really is tight in the race for that UEFA Cup spot.
1550: Deep into injury time at Tannadice now and it's free kick to the hosts just outside the box. Danny Grainger curls it over the wall and it is just inches the wrong side of the post.
1549: That's half time at Hampden and it's still goalless between Rangers and first division St Johnstone.
1547: Hibs hook the ball clear and can breathe a little easier.
1546: Late corner to the Tangerines at Tannadice. Can they summon a winner?
1544: Into the closing stages at Tannadice where Hibs keeper McNeil has just made a good save with the ball heading for his top corner following a flag kick.
1539: Team news from the final Premier League game of the day - Manchester City v Portsmouth which kicks off at 1600. Darius Vassell is in the starting line-up for City. Sun Jihai is omitted so it looks like Elano will play at right-back today. Pompey hope to close the gap on fifth-placed Everton to a single point. Glen Johnson is out so Lauren plays right-back. John Utaka starts in midfield as does Lassana Diarra, so Kanu and Sean Davis make way.
1537: From the free kick Zemmama curls a 25-yard effort inches wide with the keeper rooted. So close for Hibs who could well have been playing 10 men by now. It's still 1-1 though.
1536: Fletcher is brought down by Darren Dods. The Hibs man looked to be gong clean through there but instead of a red card the ref only produces a yellow. A controversial moment at Tannadice.
1534: Rangers are turning the screw now. Davis gets on the end of a pass in the box and knocks it past the keeper. However, Stanic is racing back and manages to clear before Daniel Cousin can find the empty net.
1532: Glorious chance at Hampden for Rangers and Novo. A poor back pass from Goran Stanic goes straight to Novo's feet but his finish is poor - he can't beat keeper Alan Main who stood up well. It should have been 1-0 there.
1530: Still not a lot of action in the Scottish Cup semi between Rangers and St Johnstone. Rangers have seen more of the ball but the First Division side are holding their own.
1529: A chance for Hibs striker Steven Fletcher who is put through but keeper Zaluska comes out to make a good save and it remains 1-1 at Tannadice with around 16 minutes to go.
1527: That's the full-time whistle at St James' Park and Newcastle have beaten local rivals Sunderland 2-0. They stay 12th but are now level on points with Spurs and can no longer go down. Sunderland still have drop fears, although they are five points better off then Birmignham who occupy the final relegation place.
1526: Rangers have the ball in the net at Hampden but Buffel's effort is disallowed as he was clearly offside as the cross came in from the left from Stevie Smith.
1525: Reid's cross into the Newcastle box is coolly headed back to his keeper by sub David Edgar.
1523: Newcastle appear to beeasing to victory now. They are playing down the clock now as he head into injury time - four more minutes.
1521: Now Hunt is down for Dundee United after a remarkably similar incident to the one involving Naimsith at Hampden - his knee was stood on.
1520: GOAL - HUNT. Dundee United are level at Tannadice. Noel Hunt has just equalised form the penalty spot with a confident spot kick into the top corner. 1-1. A clumsy challenge from Thierry Gathuessi on De Vries was responsible for all that.
1519: Naismith goes down again. Something went there as he chased a forward pass and it looks, after all, that some damage was done in that earlier challenge. Surely he'll have to come off. Steven Davis is coming on.
1518: Time is running out for Sunderland. Just six minutes left as McShane sends an awful cross behind for a goal kick. It's still Newcastle 2-0 up.
1516: Steven Naismith goes down now for Rangers at Hampden. Martin Hardy stood on the back of knee - accidentally - in a challenge and that looked nasty. He could have done some serious damage there but Naismith is back up on his feet after treatment. Rangers won't want to make a second early substitution. Aside from the injuries, there's been little action so far and it's still 0-0.
1515: Owen uses his pace to attack down the left and his cross is put behind for a corner. Newcastle lead 2-0 still.
1514: GOAL - SHIELS. The Hibs man bursts clears of the Dundee United defence and keeps his cool to go round the keeper and find the net with a fine finish from a tight angle. 1-0 Hibs and they could be going third in the SPL.
1513: Nyron Nosworthy is booked for a foul on Carroll. That's Sunderland's fifth card so they'll get an FA warning.
1512: Nacho Novo is brought down on the edge of the St Johnstone box. Meanwhile, Thomas Buffel comes on to replace the injured Burke.
1511: Young striker Andy Carroll comes on for Newcastle in place of Viduka at St James'.
1510: Bad news for Rangers. Chris Burke is leaving the Hampden pitch on a stretcher after a bad challenge. He'll have to be replaced.
1509: The free kick is rubbish. Way too low and straight into the wall from Richardson.
1508: Jones wins a free kick right on the edge of the Newcastle box. Here's a good chance to get back in the game.
1507: Another yellow card for Sunderland. This time it's Reid who slides in and catches Owen, not the ball.
1506: Once again Jones nods down in the Newcastle box but Murphy's shot is blocked by Faye. The Mackem striker is winning everything in the air.
1505: Martins is coming off at St James' Park to be replaced by Damien Duff. He's done well up alongside Owen today.
1504: Miller goes in the book at St James' Park for a blatant trip in midfield. He can't argue with that.
1503: A chance for Sunderland and it's close to a goal. Harper, however, denies Jones from close range with a fine save.
1502: Almost 3-0 to Newcastle. Martins' powerful shot is kept out by a good stop from Gordon.
1501: The second half of the SPL game at Tannadice is just getting started. It's 0-0 between Dundee United and Hibs.
1500: St Johnstone get the Scottish Cup semi under way. They and Rangers are playing for the right to meet Queen of the South in next month's final.
1459: Still Sunderland can't find a goal which would get them back in the game at St James' Park. It remains 2-0.
1457: Free kick to Newcastle sees Geremi deliver to the far post where the ball comes off the top of Faye's head. Goal kick.
1455: Jose Enriqueblasts an attempted clearance against his own man Joey Barton. However, it doesn't result in anything. That's more like the defending we've come to associate from Newcastle!
1454: Reid let fly from 30 yards and the effort is only just over Steve Harper's crossbar. This is certainly better from the men in red and white.
1452: Jones again wins a header in the box and nods down for Reid but he can't get on the end of it.
1451: Kieran Richardson replaces Carlos Edwards in the Sunderland midfield.
1450: Jones heads down for Andy Reid in the Newcastle box but he fails to get it under control first time and is then crowded out.
1448: Sunderland have made a decent start to the second half at St James' Park but it remains 2-0 to the hosts. so they still have plenty to do if they are to earn a point.
1446: The half-time whistle goes at Tannadice where it remains goalless between Dundee United and Hibs. That's good news for Motherwell in the chase for a UEFA Cup place. They will remain third if it ends like this.
1445: Team news is in from Hampden Park which is staging the second Scottish Cup semi-final at 1500. Rangers take on First Division St Johsntone and make no fewer than eight changes from the midweek defeat at Celtic. Goalkeeper Allan McGregor and Lee McCulloch both picked up injuries at Parkhead, ruling them out, while David Weir is suspended. Only Carlos Cuellar, Christian Dailly and Steven Whittaker survive from the side who lost 2-1 on Wednesday night. Saints, third in the Irn-Bru League, are boosted by the return of former Leeds and Chelsea star Jody Morris from injury. Kevin Rutkiewicz, Allan McManus and Peter MacDonald are also drafted into the starting line up, in place of David Weatherston, Kevin James, Steven Anderson and Paul Sheerin.
1444: From the second corner, Collins powers a header goalwards but it strikes Steven Taylor. There are minor penalty appeals but it appeared to just hit him on the torso.
1443: Faye and Jones go up for a header. The last touch is off Faye - corner. It's onyl partially cleared and Whitehead's shot is deflected wide.
1442: Almost a goal at Tannadice where Hunt curls a 20-yard free kick inches wide.
1441: Beye's run down the right is a good one and he finds Martins in the box. He in turn picks out Owen but he dwells on the ball too long and Sunderland recover.
1438: The players are back out at St James' and, doubtless after a half-time blast from Roy Keane, Sunderland restart the match. They trail 2-0 remember.
1434: Willo Flood's powerful 30-yard drive draws a good save from Hibs keeper McNeil, who tips the ball over his bar.
1431: At the other end, De Vries sets up David Robertson but he pulls his shot just wide from 14 yards.
1430: Zemmama shoots straight at United keeper Lukasz Zaluska.
1428: Another poor effort from De Vries at Tannadice where it remains 0-0 between Dundee United and Hibs. He created a good chance for himself but the final shot was weak and straight at McNeil.
1423: It's 1/20 Newcastle, 10/1 the draw and 40/1 Sunderland in the half-time betting at St James' Park from Sky Bet. And it's a 5/1 chance that Owen scores the next goal in the game following his first-half heroics. Those who think it will remain 2-0 can get 14/5.
1421: From the free kick, Geremi tries to pick out Owen but Sunderland manage to get the ball away. That's the final action of the first half and at the break Newcastle lead Sunderland 2-0 thanks to that brace from the in-form Owen.
1420: Two-goal Owen is causing problems for the Sunderland defence and his latestrun down the right is ended by a crude challenge from Murphy who is booked.
1418: GOAL - OWEN. Owen steps up and fires his spot kick down the middle. Gordon gets to it but the ball squirms under his body and in. 2-0 to the Magpies.
1417: Penalty for Newcastle! Owen plays a great one-two with Viduka who backheels the ball into his path. Higginbotham tries to stop him with a last-ditch sliding tackle and as Owen tries to skip past him the ball brushes the defender's arm.
1416: Sunderland are struggling to create in their game. Daryl Murphy is well tackled there by Habib Beye. Newcastle are looking pretty solid for once at the back.
1414: Martin Canning has the first real chance for Hibs, heading over from Merouane Zemmama's corner.
1413: A poor pass from McShane ends a rare Sunderland attack at St James' Park. Roy Keane is barking out orders from the bench - it's been a poor display from his men so far.
1412: Mark De Vries heads wide for Dundee United. He should have made better contact there - if he had it could well have been the opening goal.
1411: A couple of Hibs corners in the SPL game come to nothing.
1409: Roars for a penalty at St James' Park as Martin and McShane tangle chasing Owen's through ball. The ref waves play on which looks correct. There was certainly no intent to foul Martins there and the Nigerian appeared to be slipping before any contact was made.
1408: Almost a goal at Tannadice. Noel Hunt's looping header is tipped over the bar by Hibs keeper Andy McNeil.
1406: The hosts win another corner at St James' Park. Sunderland boot it clear.
1404: Newcastle remain in control at St James' Park. A win today makes them safe. Sunderland, on the other hand, still have some relegation fears - they are currently five points ahead of the final drop place. Newcastle still lead 1-0.
1402: Obafemi Martins breaks the offside trap and finds himself in space down the left. He cuts in and selfishly shoots. Craig Gordon is able to make a comfortable save at his near post. Owen or Viduka should have received a pass there - they were waiting in the middle and would have had a much better chance of scoring.
1401: Whitehead is the first man booked at St James' Park. He handled but it may well have been the fact that he'd already committed a number of fouls in this first half that irked Mr Dean.
1400: Hibs get the game under way at Tannadice.
1358: A Dean Whitehead free kick is knocked to the back post where Danny Collins can't get on the end of it. He was baulked by Mark Viduka, but legally says the ref, much to Collins' disgust.
1357: Jones breaks for Sunderland but doesn't have any decent support. Sunderland will need to get more men forward if they are to get back into this one. They trail 1-0 to that Owen goal.
1355: Now we'll focus on events at St James' Park, although today's SPL game is about to start too and we'll keep you updated on that one. It's a big match too with Dundee United and Hibs both chasing third place and with it a UFA Cup spot. United defender has Darren Dods recovered from a foot injury and plays in an unchanged line-up. Hibs are missing injured centre-back Chris Hogg so Guillaume Beuzelin takes his place. Rob Jones is also banned. A win for either side will take them third, above Motherwell.
1353: That's it at Villa Park where the hosts have crushed Birmingham 5-1. Villa's UEFA Cup hopes are boosted, while Birmingham remain in the bottom three, by a point, with three games left.
1351: Now it's Liam Miller with a nasty challenge. He trips Nicky Butt but again it'sonly a warning from the ref.
1350: McSheffrey's shot is blocked at Villa Park and time is almost up for the Blues.
1349: Dangerous free kick wide right for Newcastle and a chance to whip in a good ball. However, Geremi disappoints with his delivery which fails to beat the first man.
1348: McFadden sends a cross into the Villa box where Martin Laursen turns it behind. There was a hint of handball there but a corner is given. Villa clear upfield from the flag kick.
1347: It's all Newcastle at St James'. They have another corner but from it the ball goes well wide.
1346: Change for Villa and Marlon Harewood will get a run-out. He comes on in place of Mellberg who salutes the crowd on his way off. This is his penultimate appearance at Villa Park before he heads for Juventus in the summer.
1345: Just a few minutes to go at Villa Park where Villa still lead Birmingham 5-1. They are going sixth, a least for a few hours. They've closed the gap on Everton down to three points with three games to play.
1344: From the flag kick McShane heads into his own net but the whistle had gone. It's anyone's guess why though. There didn't seem to be a foul from anyone there.
1343: A disputed corner to Newcastle at St James' Park. Can they capitalise?
1341: Birmingham must just want this to end. It's been an awful day at the office from them. At St James' the home fans are in good voice after their fine start.
1339: GOAL - AGBONLAHOR. Another shambles at the back from Villa. Ridgewell heads the ball into Agbonlahor's path and he is allowed to run at both Jaidi and Kelly. He evades both and fires a low shot which is close to Taylor but still beats him. To be fair to the keeper he may have been unsighted by Kelly. Villa lead their derby 5-1!
1338: GOAL - OWEN. A superb header from the England star gives Newcastle an early lead. From the penalty spot he heads home a cross from the right by Geremi.
1337: Kenwyne Jones battles his way into the Newcastle box but his shot has the sting taken out of it by Abdoulaye Faye.
1336: A tough early challenge from Paul McShane on Michael Owen earns him a talking to from ref Mike Dean at St James' Park. A typical derby tackle that one.
1334: McFadden takes the free kick but it's past the angle of post and bar.
1333: Free kick to Birmingham around 25 yards out and a chance to make things interesting perhaps. Dead-ball specialist Zarate has gone off though remember.
1332: Carew wins a corner at Villa Park after Young again starts a pacy Villa break. Taylor makes a confidet claim from the flag kick.
1330: They are about to kick-off in the second Premier League game of the day - Newcastle v Sunderland. Neither side is mathematically safe yet but after putting together good runs of late, both will be confident of survivial. Then, of course, there's the local pride issue...
1328: GOAL - FORSSELL. A consolation from the Finn and it's a good effort. Gary McSheffrey played in McFadden who in turn knocked a pass into Forssell and he beat Carson from the edge of the box. Villa 4 Birmingham 1.
1327: Alex McLeish looks a little lost on the sideline. What can he do now?
1325: Villa now lead their rivals 4-0 and perhaps crucially have surpassed Everton's goal difference in the race for fifth place. The two meet at Goodison next weekend. This isn't doing Birmingham's goal difference much good at the other end of the table. However, there are plenty of teams down there with worse in the GD column.
1324: GOAL - YOUNG. A great goal from the youngster. He surges into thebox on the left-hand side and unleashes a shot which Taylor stops with his leg. However, the rebound goes staight back to Young who makes no mistake at the second attempt, netting inside the near post.
1322: This game looks over and Villa aren't looking too bothered about adding further goals at present.
1320: A good chance for McFadden to pull a goal back goes begging. Kelly sends in a cross from the right and the Scot gets between two defenders only to make little contact with his header.
1319: Changes for Birmingham. Mikael Forssell is on for Jerome and Zarate is replaced by Olivier Kapo.
1316: Birmingham's defence has been all at sea today and it's no surprise to see them so far in arrears. They are staying in the relegation zone with just three games to go. However, they play Liverpool next week, who are likely to rest their stars with the Champions League in full flow. Another storm is brewing there.
1315: GOAL - CAREW. Barry holds off Ridgewell on the right and gets into the box before squaring the ball to his team-mate who is left with a simple tap-in from eight yards. Villa lead 3-0 and Birmingham are in trouble.
1314: Carew's heavy touch looks set to waste a Villa attack. However, Taylor and Ridgewell get in a mess and Jaidi is forced to hack clear.
1313: What a surprise. McFadden is into the book for another foul in hs own half. He didn't heed the warning. From the free kick, Carew gets his head on the ball but flicks it wide of Taylor's right-hand post.
1311: McFadden takes on Mellberg and Petrov and gets into the box on the right but he's then adjudged to have tugged back Petrov. The Scot isn't happy and Mr Clattenburg has words with both him and Petrov over that tangle.
1309: Carew runs at the visitors' defence this time and Jaidi is forced to concede a corner. From it, the whistle goes for some pushing in the box.
1307: A good Villa break ends with Young bursting into the penalty area but he just slightly overruns the ball and Taylor is able to race out and smother.
1305: Birmingham get the game back under way at Villa Park and they have it all to do at 2-0 down. They desperately need a point - otherwise they will stay in the drop zone. However, Villa are flying at present. They've now scored 12 goals in the last two and a half games, conceding none.
1300: Team news is in from Newcastle, who host Sunderland at 1330. Sunderland are without Jonny Evans and Phil Bardsley due to injury. Danny Higginbotham, who scored in the reverse fixture, and Paul McShane were asked to take over, while Carlos Edwards and Liam Miller replace former Magpie Michael Chopra and Kieran Richardson. Kevin Keegan names the same side which has started four of the previous five games with Abdoulaye Faye and Nicky Butt shaking off knocks.
1248: The whistle goes for the break and that second goal has put Villa in complete command against their arch rivals Birmingham. It's 2-0 at Villa Park thanks to strikes from Young and Carew and it's hard to see Birmingham coming back from that as they bid to scramble out of the bottom three. That's certainly the view of our friends from Sky Bet as their in-running odds at half-time are 1/25 Villa, 12/1 the draw, 50/1 Birmingham.
1247: A late corner for Villa sees a glancing header from Carew go wide and it looks like that's going to be the last action of the first half.
1246: We're heading towards half-time and there will be a minute of added time.
1245: GOAL - CAREW. It's 2-0 to Villa as the freekick tally finally tells when Young floats a lovely ball into the box and Carew rises highest tonod it past a despairing Taylor.
1244: Yet another free kick to Villa - again for a foul on Carew - gives the home side another chance to launch the ball into the Birmingham area.
1243: Another scything run from Carew sees him open up the Birmingham defence but when he cuts the ball back from the right there's no Villa player on hand to turn it goalwards.
1242: The free kick is eventually taken but it's a fraction high from Barry and lands on the top of the goal.
1240: It's a free kick to Villa near the right corner flag but before it can be taken referee Clattenburg has to calm down fraying tempers. He's officiated the game well so far - he's kept things flowing whenever possible and has also kept his cards in his pocket.
1239: The on-song Barry creates some space just outside the area and shapes a lovely shot which appears to be curling into the bottom corner until Taylor scrambles to his left and palms it round the post.
1238: Taylor and Kelly have to react quickly to smother the danger from Agbonlahor after the Villa striker bears down on the Birmingham goal.
1236: The corner almost leads to a spectacular equaliser for Birmingham as the ball drops to Mehdi Nafti just outide the area before some lovely touches of skill take him past three players but his shot just flashes over the bar.
1235: McFadden just well to win a corner out of nothing for Birmingham - he's surrounded by three Villa players but forces Petrov to belt the ball out for a flag kick.
1233: As things stand Villa are just three points behind Everton in the battle for fifth spot - and they travel to Goodison next week to face the fading Toffees. And at the other end of the table Birmingham will remain in the bottom three, a point adrift of safety, if they fail to take anything from this game.
1232: It's been all Villa since the goal and they win a corner down the right but Taylor takes it cleanly and clears the danger for Birmingham.
1230: GOAL - ASHLEY YOUNG. A lovely finish from Young puts Villa into a 1-0 lead as his stunning first-time shot from just inside the area gives Taylor no chance in the Birmingham goal. The goal was created by a great run down the right by Barry and a slightly fortunate ball across the area from Olof Mellberg.
1229: There's another half chance for Petrov and this time it's on his right foot as he forces a decent save from Taylor.
1228: Bouma seems to be caught late by Cameron Jerome as he hacks the ball upfield but no action is taken.
1227: The ball pops up for Petrov just outside the area but it's on his left foot and his shot never really threatens the Birmingham goal.
1226: The ball is curled into the area from the free kick but this time Taylor does get a glove on it and punches clear.
1225: It's another free kick to Villa, this time out on the left, after Muamba hacks down Barry and gets a lecture from referee Clattenburg. We're still awaiting the first caution.
1224: Birmingham are giving away too many free kicks given Villa's threat at set-pieces, the latest one coming for a foul on Nigel Reo-Coker.
1223: Birmingham give Bouma the scope to advance towards the area and unleash a shot but his effort probably explains why he was afforded the space as it dribbles well wide of Taylor's goal.
1221: Taylor is again caught in no man's land at the corner but once more gets away with it as Agbonlahor's header goes wide.
1220: Barry goes for goal from the free kick and Taylor tips the ball out for a corner.
1219: Jaidi gets too tight on Carew and gives away a freekick in a dangerous area just to the right of the penalty box.
1218: A stunning first-time ball from Barry finds Agbonlahor in space on the right but the youngster's effort is a poor one and never threatens the Birmingham goal.
1217: Birmingham seem to switch off as Barry finds some space inside the area and unleashes a low shot which just fizzes wide of the right upright.
1216: A hopeful punt into the Villa area by Murphy is shepherded out of play by Wilfred Bouma.
1215: We're nearly a quarter of an hour into the game at Villa Park and it's been a decent match so far and fairly evenly balanced, with both sides creating a couple of half chances.
1214: There's a foul from Liam Ridgewell on Agbonlahor and the Blues skipper is perhaps a little fortunate not to go into the book, just getting a ticking off from ref Mark Clattenburg.
1213: Gabriel Agbonlahor finds himself in a bit of space out wide on the left for Villa but his ball into the box is too close to Taylor and the Blues keeper gathers easily.
1212: It's end to end stuff at the moment and another corner to Birmingham but again the cross is a poor one and Villa clear the danger.
1211: The delivery from the Villa corner is excellent and Blues keeper Maik Taylor struggles to get to the ball as Carew's header flashes just wide of his net.
1210: Villa break swiftly down the other end and Carew's pace causes Stephen Kelly all sorts of problems but Radhi Jaidi reacts quickly and hacks the ball out of play for a corner.
1209: Mauro Zarate takes the free kick but he doesn't add to his recent goal tally as the ball clatters straight into the Villa wall.
1208: Birmingham are continuing to pose a real threat and they've now got a free kick 30 yards out after Barry trips James McFadden.
1206: Birmingham win the first corner of the game but it comes to nothing.
1205: Birmingham create their first opening of the game when Fabrice Muamba feeds a lovely ball through to David Murphy who unleashes a power-packed shot which just flies over the bar. The Blues want a corner, claiming Scott Carson tipped the ball over the bar, but the referee rules it's a goalkick.
1204: It's been a bright start from Villa and John Carew breaks towards the Birmingham goal before the ball just runs away from him.
1203: Villa enjoy the better of the early exchanges and Gareth Barry beats a couple of players down the left before teeing up Stiliyan Petrov but his shot from just outside the Birmingham area swerves wide of the goal.
1202: Villa get us under way slightly late in the first of today's three Premier League games - it's a great atmosphere at Villa Park.
1159: We're about to kick off at Villa Park in a match that has huge consequences for both teams. Villa have a real chance of taking fifth place and a UEFA Cup slot while Saturday's results mean Birmingham start today's game back in the relegation zone. We'll be covering all the afternoon's football here - also in the Premier League it's Newcastle v Sunderland at 1.30pm and Manchester City v Portsmouth at 4pm. There are also two big matches in Scotland - St Johnstone v Rangers (3pm) in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden and the key SPL clash between Dundee United and Hibs (2pm).
1150: Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has unsurprisingly named an unchanged side for
the derby clash with Birmingham at Villa Park which kicks off today's Premier League action at midday. O'Neill keeps faith with the side which hasscored 10 goals in gaining victories over Bolton and Derby to revive their hopes of securing a UEFA Cup spot.
Blues manager Alex McLeish makes two changes - both of them enforced - from the side which shared the spoils with Everton last weekend. Cameron Jerome and Mauro Zarate come into the starting line-up at the expense of injured duo Sebastian Larsson and Mikael Forssell, who is only fit enough to be on the substitutes' bench.
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