Christian Benteke kept Aston Villa’s hopes of Premier League survival alive with a stunning late free-kick which sealed a vital point in a thrilling 3-3 draw with relegation rivals Queens Park Rangers.
In a topsy turvy basement battle at Villa Park which saw the teams exchange the lead several times, the hosts were left indebted to the Belgian striker’s timely return of form, as his fine hat-trick ensured his side remain out of the bottom-three.
QPR took the lead early in the first half when Matthew Phillips took advantage of some poor defending to head in, but Benteke struck twice to put Villa in front before half-time.
Chris Ramsey’s men looked down and out but they emerged from the break with fire in their bellies, and Clint Hill soon headed in from a corner to level to scores, with star man Charlie Austin firing the Super Hoops in front moments later.
Holding on for the win would have seen Rangers climb out of the relegation zone and in turn dump Villa into the bottom-three, but Benteke was on hand to bail out Tim Sherwood’s charges, slamming his dead-ball effort in off the inside of the post to leave the London side still three points from safety.
More to follow...
0 nhận xét:
Đăng nhận xét