Aston Villa v QPR player ratings
QPR were denied victory by Tammy Abraham’s equaliser but showed their play-off credentials in another impressive performance. Here’s how we rated each Rangers player in the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.
Joe Lumley: 7
The keeper did well when producing an early save to deny Abraham and when claiming several balls into his area – and even better to complete the game after needing several minutes of treatment after taking a boot in the face from Jonathan Kodjia, who was inexplicably only shown a yellow card.
Darnell Furlong: 7
Given some problems by Yannick Bolasie, who got away from him a few times. But the Rangers full-back gave as good as he got and was able to get forward himself too.
Toni Leistner: 5
Credit is due for a series of clearances and interceptions, which were vital in helping Rangers get a point. But the captain was given a torrid time by Abraham, who opened the scoring after getting away from him, having earlier been denied by Lumley after pouncing on a Leistner slip. Leistner was at fault too for Abraham’s second goal, allowing the on-loan Chelsea striker to nip in front of him.
Joel Lynch: 7
Like Leistner, Lynch won a number of challenges. His impressive season continues.
Jake Bidwell: 7
A couple of cracking challenges summed up a committed, tireless performance from the left-back.
QPR boss Steve McClaren: “We’re not afraid. We always say we need to break through and get results against the top boys.”
Luke Freeman: 8
Hauled Rangers level with a fantastic strike and was always a problem for Villa with his movement and set-piece delivery, Great stuff from the playmaker.
Jordan Cousins: 6
All over the place at times in the first half against Reading, Cousins was more solid this time. Massimo Luongo was still missed to some degree though.
Josh Scowen: 7
Did very well in midfield. Covered plenty of ground, used the ball well and never allowed Villa to settle in the middle of the park.
Pawel Wszolek: 8
Another non-stop performance – at least until a knock left him struggling before he was taken off. He was deployed on the left to start with in order to counter the threat of Albert Adomah. As well as working for the cause defensively, he set up two chances for Ebere Eze, the second of which led to Rangers going ahead.
Ebere Eze: 7
Frustrating at times, and is far from the finished article, but shows in flashes what he is capable of. He was always a worry for Villa and showed good mental strength to score after being found by Wszolek’s pull-back, having blasted over after being similarly set up by the Pole in the first half.
Nahki Wells: 7
Curled an effort wide in the first half. Not much came his way in terms of chances, but as is often the case Wells’ movement, link-up play and pressing from the front were crucial for Rangers. Laid the ball off to Freeman in the build up to the equaliser and helped Wszolek set up Eze.
Matt Smith: 6
On for the final 20 minutes, the target man was useful mainly for defending high balls in his own area as Villa pushed for a late winner.
