This article was first published 13 years ago

EPL: Villa draw with Birmingham

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January 16, 2011 21:16 IST

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.

Aston Villa's James Collins (left) celebrates his goal against Birmingham City with Barry Bannan on SundayVilla 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.

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