Newcastle moves closer to EPL relegation, draws with Villa

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) - Newcastle stumbled at the worst possible time in its fight for Premier League survival, drawing 0-0 against already relegated Aston Villa on Saturday.

Jack Colback and Aleksander Mitrovic went close for the Magpies in a game they needed to win but Villa put up an unexpectedly competent defense given its season so far.

The point extended Newcastle's unbeaten run to five matches under Rafa Benitez but it dropped back into the bottom three after rival Sunderland twice came from behind to beat Chelsea 3-2.

Newcastle will be relegated if Sunderland wins its next game against Everton on Wednesday.

Villa remains bottom.