Villa thrash local rivals

Premier League round-up

Rangers reach Scottish Cup final

Hibs earn point at Tannadice 

PSV clinch title

Aston Villa crushed local rivals Birmingham City 5-1 at Villa Park. Ashley Young (28, 63) and John Carew (42, 53) both scored twice while Gabriel Agbonlahor (78) grabbed a fifth. Mikael Forsell scored a consolation for Birmingham on 67 minutes but they remain in the bottom three. Villa have now scored 15 goals in their last three Premier League games conceding just one in the process.

Michael Owen bagged a first-half brace as Newcastle United cruised to a 2-0 victory over Sunderland at St James’ Park in the Tyne-Wear derby. Owen scored with his head after only four minutes and dispatched a penalty on the stroke of half-time to ensure the Magpies are clear of relegation worries while their near neighbours will be looking nervously over their shoulder in the next few weeks.

Manchester City remain in the hunt for a UEFA Cup spot after a 3-1 home win over 10-man Portsmouth. Darius Vassell put the hosts ahead on 11 minutes and City’s lead was doubled just two minutes later by Martin Petrov. John Utaka got one back for Pompey on 24 minutes before Hermann Hreidarsson was sent off for impeding Darius Vassell as he ran through on goal, five minutes before the break. Benjani sealed the three points on 74 minutes.

Rangers beat St Johnstone 3-4 on penalties in their Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden. The score after 90 minutes was goalless but Daniel McBreen gave St Johnstone the lead four minutes into extra-time only for Nacho Novo to level from the penalty spot on 103 minutes. Walter Smith’s men remain on course for a domestic treble after the game was decided on penalties. Daniel Cousin scored the decisive spot-kick to send Rangers to their 49th Scottish Cup final.

In the Scottish Premier League, Dundee United and Hibernian drew 1-1 at Tannadice. Hibs took the lead through Dean Shiels on 57 minutes but Noel Hunt restored parity from the penalty spot just three minutes later.

PSV Eindhoven have clinched their fourth consecutive Eredivisie title and 21st overall following a 0-1 win at Vitesse Arnhem. Danko Lazovic scored the second half winner. Meanwhile, Excelsior are relegated after being thrashed 0-5 at Heerenveen and De Graafschap and VVV will now battle it out with six sides from the second division in the relegation play-offs.

Nathan Davies