Latest: QPR 2 Aston Villa 0 – Rangers on course for crucial win

By

Charlie Austin scored twice to leave QPR within sight of a win that would take them off the bottom of the Premier League.

The striker opened the scoring on 17 minutes, firing home from near the edge of the penalty area after Bobby Zamora had laid the ball into his path.

After Junior Hoilett hit the woodwork, Austin struck again midway through the second half when he got in front of Ron Vlaar to tuck away Eduardo Vargas’ low cross.

Austin’s opener came after Rangers keeper Rob Green had been called into action twice early on.

Green, back in the side because Alex McCarthy was ruled out with a thigh problem, gathered Ashley Westwood’s effort and a thumping long-range volley from Carlos Sanchez.

After Rangers went ahead, Christian Benteke headed wide from Westwood’s cross from the right.

And Green reacted quickly to prevent Benteke connecting with another right-wing cross, this time from Andreas Weimann.

Ciaran Clark missed a good chance for Villa when he fired wide early in the second half and Hoilett, on as a substitute, curled a right-footed shot against the post.

Vargas, who scored twice after coming on as a substitute against Liverpool, was given a starting place and a role on the right-hand side.

And it was from there that the Chilean set up Austin’s fourth Premier League goal.

Vargas then had a chance to score himself but shot straight at keeper Brad Guzan after being put through by Hoilett.

QPR: Green; Isla, Dunne, Caulker, Yun; Vargas, Henry; Sandro, Fer; Austin, Zamora (Hoilett 62).
Subs: Murphy, Traore, Ferdinand, Kranjcar, Phillips, Hill.

 

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook