Charlie Austin's goal just after the quarter-hour mark has given Queens Park Rangers a 1-0 half-time lead against Aston Villa in this evening's Premier League clash at Loftus Road.
The hosts had the better of things in the opening stages as Ashley Westwood lashed a volley towards the R's goal from the edge of the box, but Robert Green was able to save with ease.
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However, the hosts took just 17 minutes to break the deadlock, Bobby Zamora chesting a ball into the path of Austin which allowed the 25-year-old to drill a half-volley past Brad Guzan into the Villa net.
Paul Lambert's charges, aggrieved at conceding against the run of play, countered moments later with Westwood playing a deep ball towards Christian Benteke, but the Belgian's header skimmed just wide.
At the other end, Yun Suk-young threatened when he cut inside and fired a low shot towards Guzan, prompting the American stopper into a fingertip save.
In the 35th minute, Karl Henry and Mauricio Isla combined to set up Sandro, whose curling effort floated just over the bar.
Giuseppe Labellarte
