THOSE CHANCES COUNTED...
So Saturday came and as usual I was buzzing for the match, travelling up with Ryan and Beth singing 90’s classics such as Five- ‘If your getting down’ and Blue’s ‘One Rise’, The mood couldn’t be better.
We parked up in what we thought was a great spot, happened to be about a twenty five minute walk from the ground. Luckily the rain held off until we got inside the stadium.
As the team news came through to my phone by the reliable source that is Twitter, I was quite surprised Harry had changed the team around a bit but then again it was an away game so perhaps Harry had a different approach.
Julio Cesar replaced Rob Green in goal and Jermaine Jenas came in for Junior Hoilett.
A packed Villa Park was in full voice from both sets of supporters as both teams emerged from the tunnel. Both sides fearing relegation, this was a must win for either side. QPR heading into the match on back to back wins and Villa struggling to find form as of late... we were set for a cracking encounter.
QPR started well after a brief bit of possession from Villa at the start of the game, QPR seemed to find form and began to play football, and the first real chance from Rangers came from a great set piece from Jose Bosingwa onto the head of Chris Samba only to be denied by a great save from the Villa keeper Brad Guzan. Moments later Samba was in action again with Bobby Zamora failing to find his feet, Samba took control and his twelve yard effort was again denied by the Villa keeper making another key save.
Rangers were in action again as a misplaced pass from substitute Joe Bennett fell to Zamora. Bobby ran towards the goal but was denied by Guzan but fortunately fell into the path of the ex-Villa loanee Jermaine Jenas who put QPR ahead after 23 minutes.
Loic Remy, quiet up until this point, then tested Guzan from distance with a dipping shot that forced the American keeper to push over for a corner. He continued to be the busier of the two stoppers on the stroke of half-time as a fiercely struck free-kick from the corner of the box by QPR fullback Bosingwa rattled the post.
However same old, same old QPR saw Villa level on the stroke of halftime, the worst time to concede a goal. A cross from Matthew Lowton saw Cesar hesitate which allowed Gabby Agbonlahor to header past the Brazilian from six yards.
So at halftime the score was 1-1 and I was shocked as I thought we were on the up and was left scratching my head and went and had another burger which tasted dryer than a Jacobs cracker.
The second half started and Rangers made one substitution; Bobby Zamora replaced by Junior Hoilett. Which was surprising as Bobby was fantastic in the first half, I can only think he is not at match fitness just yet.
QPR were caught napping and nearly found themselves 2-1 down on 58 minutes after an effort from N’Zogbia forced Cesar to turn it over the post for a corner. From the resulting corner came the second Villa goal, Bennett knocked the ball to Weimann. Weimann, who had his back to goal, turned Clint Hill and shot to beat Cesar from 16 yards.
It seemed like a different team came out for the second half as QPR seemed lazy and not on it as they were in the first. Villa kept on pushing with Weimann again going close.
I couldn’t see a way back for Rangers. However QPR made a change with Adel Taarabt coming on who made an instant impact for QPR.
Adel Taarabt seemed to spark some life into the Rangers team with some crisp passing and fine balls for the Rangers attack.
Andros Townsend pulled QPR level. Andros started the move that played a ball to Loic Remy who urged forward, played the ball to Park with his back to goal, found Townsend who fired the ball behind Guzan taking a slight deflection on the way.
QPR found themselves on the back foot again and a strong move in midfield saw Weimann in action making Cesar commit himself at his near post, leaving an unmarked Benteke to tap into the empty net. 3-2 Aston Villa. QPR’s last effort came from Clint Hill which was deflected over the bar and the final whistle blew. The QPR players looked distraught and many slumped to the floor and looked like they had all been relegated.
At certain times the QPR team just don’t look on the same page as each other, the defense and goalkeeper fell asleep for the third goal.
Looking at it on a positive note though we could have been four or five up at halftime but those chances were denied by a fantastic display from Guzan.
The games are running out for QPR now as there are eight games for us to play, an away trip to Fulham is up next. We beat them earlier on in the season, so more of the same is needed again two weeks Monday. I sat there and did a BBC predictor and saw us survive by one point, same as last season, I do believe we have enough in the tank to pick up various wins and a few points away from home, this is strongly relying on other teams as well. So maybe the away trips to Barnsley and Ipswich need to be made once again but whatever happens we will stay and support the club.
We Believe...