Bolton Wanderers look increasingly certain to be playing in the Championship next season after they went down to an embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Villa Park, leaving them four points from safety with just five games remaining.
Aston Villa, who hadn't won in five games, went ahead when Gareth Barry headed home after nine minutes. Gabriel Agbonlahor doubled the advantage early in the second half before Barry added his second of the day with a deflected drive. The substitute Marlon Harewood completed the rout. The result moves Villa up a place to seventh and in sight, albiet distant, of a Uefa Cup place.
Birmingham City remain Bolton's closest rivals after going down 2-0 at Wigan Athletic. Ryan Taylor scored both goals, coming either side of Damien Johnson's sending-off, to give Steve Bruce a satisfying victory over his former employers and move his side eight points clear of Wanderers.
Fulham remain six points adrift of safety after Sunderland beat them 3-1 at Craven Cottage. Danny Collins headed the Black Cats ahead on the stroke of half-time before Michael Chopra volleyed home 10 minutes into the second half. A rare David Healy strike gave Fulham a lifeline with a quarter of an hour remaining, but Kenwyne Jones restored Sunderland's two-goal advantage two mintues later to seal the win.
Chelsea stayed in the hunt for the title, cruising to a 2-0 victory at Manchester City to close the gap on Manchester United to two points, with United in action tomorrow at Middlesbrough. A Richard Dunne own goal put Chelsea ahead after six minutes and Salomon Kalou doubled the advantage early in the second half.
At St James' Park, Newcastle United's good form continued, as goals from Obafemi Martins, Michael Owen and Mark Viduka gave them a third straight victory against Reading.
Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur drew 1-1 at Ewood Park. Dimitar Berbatov finished off a fine passing move after seven minutes to put Spurs in front but Morten Gamst Pedersen equalised after 30 minutes, tapping home after excellent work on the right by David Bentley.
