Christian Benteke's hat-trick has given Aston Villa a 3-3 draw against Queens Park Rangers in a dramatic Premier League clash at Villa Park tonight.
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The hosts began the game brightly but were caught out when QPR's first foray forward led to the visitors breaking the deadlock.
Charlie Austin began the move by launching the ball into the area from the right flank, and with Villa's defence failing to clear, Bobby Zamora was able to keep it alive and send it the way of Matty Phillips, who duly headed home.
Tim Sherwood's charges responded in brilliant fashion as they levelled within two minutes, as Benteke collected the ball on the left before waltzing his way into the area and curling an effort past Rob Green.
With the game on a knife edge, both sides launched forward at every opportunity in a flurry of high-tempo football, though Villa would prove more impressive in the opposition's final third.
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The third goal of the match would eventually fall to the hosts after 30 minutes, courtesy of the ever-dangerous Benteke, who collected a Gabriel Agbonlahor pass before charging forward and finishing confidently.
Villa were eager to put the game out of sight and nearly grabbed a third when Leandro Bacuna lashed a cross towards Gabriel Agbonlahor, but the England man headed wide.
They would come to rue those missed opportunities because QPR managed to get themselves back into the game just before the hour, Phillips's corner falling to veteran Clint Hill, who steered his header into the corner of the net.
Villa were soon beset by nerves as their opponents began imposing themselves on the game and edging ever closer to a third, and their fears came true when Austin drilled home Phillips's cross to put the hosts in front again.
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No sooner were QPR in the lead that it was soon extinguished in spectacular fashion when Hill's foul on Charles N'Zogbia gave the Villans a free kick just outside the box.
Benteke stepped up and sent a pinpoint 25-yard effort curling over the wall, off the post and into the net to seal his hat-trick and drag his side level.
It was a case of backs to the wall for the visitors as they repelled a succession of attacks from a Villa team intent on getting all three points.
QPR were ultimately able to hang on for a draw and a share of the spoils as they edged to just two points from safety, while Villa now sit just three points above the drop zone.
Giuseppe Labellarte
