EPL: Villa draw with Birmingham

James Collins came off the bench to rescue a point for Aston Villa who drew 1-1 at rivals Birmingham City in a feisty Premier League derby encounter on Sunday.

In another derby clash, Asamoah Gyan scored deep into injury time for Sunderland to secure a 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle after Kevin Nolan's back-heeled opener in the 52nd minute.

Villa were on course for a fourth Premier League defeat in their last five encounters when Collins volleyed the ball into the back of the net in the 73rd minute with the help of a deflection off Liam Ridgewell.

Villa hit the woodwork three times in the first half but Birmingham took the lead four minutes into the second when Roger Johnson directed a volley past Villa keeper Brad Friedel into the bottom corner.

Birmingham are in 16th place on 23 points, a point ahead of Villa. Sunderland stay sixth on 34 points, five ahead of Newcastle.