(Adds later games)

Aston Villa, who have been short of goals all season, suddenly burst into attacking life with a thumping 4-0 victory at Sunderland in a Premier League relegation clash.

The hosts bagged four first-half goals with Gabriel Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke both scoring twice to give manager Tim Sherwood bragging rights over former Tottenham Hotspur team mate Gus Poyet.

Manager Poyet was grim-faced at the final whistle after his Sunderland team had capitulated at the Stadium of Light.

Villa leapfrogged Sunderland into 16th place in the 20-team standings with 28 points from 29 matches, two points ahead of Poyet's side.

Third-placed Arsenal tightened their grip on a spot in the top four, continuing an impressive run of form at the Emirates with a 3-0 win over West Ham United.

Third from bottom Queens Park Rangers did little to boost their survival chances as a dismal 3-1 defeat by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park left them four points from safety.

Leicester City remained bottom after a 0-0 draw against Hull City who had midfielder Tom Huddlestone sent off for a second bookable offence in the second half.

Brown Ideye's header gave West Bromwich Albion a 1-0 victory over Stoke City at The Hawthorns.

Second-placed Manchester City travel to Burnley later on Saturday needing a win to reduce the five-point gap on leaders Chelsea who play Southampton tomorrow.