LONDON, April 16: Birmingham City's hopes of avoiding relegation nosedived after two-goal Czech striker Milan Baros led Aston Villa to a 3-1 victory over their city rivals on Sunday.

Villa, who also beat Steve Bruce's side earlier this season, secured their first Premier League double over their neighbours to leave third from bottom Birmingham firmly anchored in the drop zone.

Birmingham, who have 29 points from 34 games, are three behind Portsmouth with only four matches remaining. The bottom three go down.

Villa made a good start when the unmarked Baros pounced on a 10th-minute cross from Aaron Hughes to fire the ball past goalkeeper Maik Taylor from eight metres.

Birmingham, who had not lost in the league at Villa Park since 1983, equalised 15 minutes later when Emile Heskey nodded the ball on for Chris Sutton to drive the ball low into the net with his left-foot from 12 metres.

Villa regained the lead in the 56th minute, 20-year-old defender Gary Cahill grabbing his first goal in his third league appearance with a spectacular overhead kick.

David O'Leary's men had gone six games without a victory but Baros banished lingering relegation fears for 15th-placed Villa when he finished a neat move with a venomous right-foot shot with 12 minutes left.

“I am delighted for the fans and for the players because they have been fantastic,” O'Leary told Sky Sports television.

“I haven't been concerned about relegation.

“We've moved nearer those teams above us and I'm just concerned about catching them.”

—Reuters