Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa will look to round off Week 9 of the English Premier League with a win when they face off at Loftus Road. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:00am (AEDT).
Eight games into the campaign and QPR are in nothing short of a mess; bottom of the table with just four points to their name, and now on-field difficulties have been accompanied by a spat between manager Harry Redknapp and Adel Taarabt – a player who could have been making waves in Premier League.
Asked of Taarabt’s absence from the side, Redknapp attacked his forward man with claims of being “unfit” for football and three stone overweight – claims the Moroccan responded to during the week. Whether the two cross paths again is yet to be known, although Taarabt’s value in the side was re-emphasised by his place in QPR’s only victory of the season against Sunderland at the end of August.
This, and the claim from Redknapp that “nobody could do the QPR job better”, came after the side’s sixth defeat of the campaign, with a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Liverpool – one of the top games of the season to date, yet little consolation to a Rangers side who have conceded the most goals in the Premier League campaign.
Monday night’s visitors Aston Villa, meanwhile, come into this clash following an erratic beginning to their top-flight form book. Three victories and a draw, including victory over Liverpool, had left Paul Lambert’s side in the upper echelons of the league table after four games of the new season.
However, a tough run of fixtures – Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton – has seen the Villains not pick up another point, or even a goal, since.
QPR’s absence from last season’s Premier League means the last meeting between the two sides came in March 2013, with Aston Villa coming from behind to win an exciting clash at Villa Park by three goals to two.
Points were shared in the other meeting that season, with a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road as Rangers will still searching for their first win of the season once December had come around.
With both sides in truly wretched form, it’s a tough call as to where the points will go in this one.
Prediction: QPR 1-2 Aston Villa
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
really dont think so, not for a long time at least
Rabbits
Guest
Will Villa ever be the team we (fans) want them to be?
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
8:51am A crucial win for QPR, who get themselves off the bottom of the table ahead of fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester City. Goals from Charlie Austin in each half were enough to get the points, grinding the game out well at the end with an aura of confidence that has been missing from their side. For Villa, unwanted records: A fifth defeat, and a fifth game without a goal which is a club record as they continue to slip down the table following an albeit tricky run.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME QUEENS PARK RANGERS 2-0 ASTON VILLA (Charlie Austin 17', 69')
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
90+1 Into three minutes of injury time we go, and Rob Green looks determined to keep his clean sheet, rushing out to stop Lowton's excellent through ball reaching Benteke. The hosts have also made a change, with Kranjcar coming on for Fer.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
85' A top game for Eduardo Vargas comes to an end as he is replaced by Armand Traore.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
84' In Agbonlahor, Bent, Benteke and Weimann, Aston Villa have arguably one of the best strike forces outside of the Top Four, yet their run without scoring a Barclays Premier League goal is just six minutes away from running into a fifth completed game. They'll need two to salvage anything from this game. Queens Park Rangers 2-0 Aston Villa
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
80' What a top save! Rob Green does excellently to keep QPR's two-goal advantage as Tom Cleverley rifles an effort from the edge of the area, but finds two mitts of the former England goalkeeper. The danger is not averted though, as Green, with help of a defender, smothers a chance from the six yard box. Queens Park Rangers 2-0 Aston Villa
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
76' What a chance for 3-0! Vargas with a gorgeous run puts him through one-on-one with the 'keeper, but can only fire his shot straight at Guzan. Queens Park Rangers 2-0 Aston Villa
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
72' Bad to worse for Villa, as Cole and Benteke get in each other's way when trying to apply a header on goal. The visitors' run without a Premier League goal looks set to continue. Queens Park Rangers 2-0 Aston Villa
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
70' And with that, Aston Villa make two changes, with Joe Cole and Darren Bent coming on for Gabriel Agbonlahor and Andres Weimann.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
68' A terrific goal from Charlie Austin who gets his second of the night. Sanchez gives the ball away with Vargas surging down the right, before holding the cross as Austin makes a run across the front of Vlaar to touch the ball home. Excellent play all round. Surely a second win of the season for Redknapp's men. Queens Park Rangers 2-0 Aston Villa
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
GOAL QUEENS PARK RANGERS 2-0 ASTON VILLA (Charlie Austin)
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
67' Or maybe he's another goalscoring option! A terrific effort from Hoilett has Guzan sweating, with the midfielder's effort grazing the outside of the post. Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Aston Villa
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
63' Bobby Zamora, who last scored in last season's Play-Off Final, is the sacrificial lamb to QPR's defensive intentions, as he makes way for Junior Hoilett to sure up the midfield. Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Aston Villa
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
57' The first booking of the night goes to Weimann, for a late challenge. Definitely deserved a yellow that. Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Aston Villa
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
55' Super chance for Villa, with Benteke making himself known around Richard Dunne, forcing a knockdown which Ciaran Clark is unable to get on the end of. Better from the visitors. Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Aston Villa
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
51' Huge shout for a handball at the other end, with Rangers players convinced that Cissokho has handled in the box. Lee Mason remains unmoved however. Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Aston Villa
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
50' Villa on top in the opening stages of the half, but unable to fashion any chances thus far. Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Aston Villa
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
Welcome back. No changes for either side, which means that Villa's joint top-scorer Andres Weimmann is able to resume. Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Aston Villa