Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Premier League encounter between struggling duo Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa. Both sides come into this match in desperate need of a victory to put an end to their own poor form, so we should have a decent contest on our hands tonight. Let's start with a look at the hosts...

QPR have found life very difficult back in the top flight so far, and that is represented by their league position coming into tonight's match. They sit bottom of the pile after eight games, level on points with winless Burnley but below the Clarets on goal difference. Harry Redknapp's side would climb off the bottom if they avoid defeat this evening, but they are already five points adrift of safety so could really do with a victory to prevent the gap from becoming too big.

Those opening eight matches have yielded a measly four points so far, although in fairness to QPR they have perhaps deserved a little more than that tally so far. Last weekend in particular they can feel hard done by having come out of their match against Liverpool with nothing to show for it. They deserved the victory on that occasions and could easily have been out of sight by half time, but a frantic finish to the match saw four goals in seven minutes, including a 95th-minute own goal from Steven Caulker to hand the Reds all of the points.

The performance at Loftus Road on that occasion was a very promising one, and 30 more display like that this season should be enough for Redknapp's side to stay up. However, the veteran manager was left bemoaning QPR's naivety in the closing stages as they failed to hold on for the draw, and that is something that they will need to learn from if they are to maintain their Premier League status this season. A draw against a side like Liverpool would have been a fine result, but in going for the victory in the closing stages they left themselves vulnerable to the counter-attack, which Liverpool fully exploited.

Another issue that the club will need to avoid is off-field troubles causing problems. That has been the case this week as chairman Tony Fernandes was forced to step in to solve a dispute involving Redknapp and Taarabt, who the manager described as being "three stone overweight". Redknapp certainly didn't pull any punches when it came to the subject in his post-match press conference, but he now insists that the issue is in the past, which is what QPR will need if they are to maintain full focus on matters on the pitch.

Chief among the on-field issue to tackle for Redknapp is his side's defensive record this season. No club has conceded more goals in the Premier League so far, which is even more concerning for QPR considering they have played a game fewer than most. Things are much better at the other end either, with only Villa and Burnley having scored fewer than QPR's six goals this season. They have only found the net in four of their nine outings in all competitions which, coupled with just the one clean sheet, has result in the R's having the worst goal difference in the league.

They come into this match without a win in their last five outings, and they have only picked up a solitary point from the 15 available in that time. Indeed, stretching back to their last season in the top flight, QPR have now won just one of their last 17 Premier League games, with that victory coming against Sunderland earlier this season. Even so, they are still one point better off than they were at the same stage of their last campaign in the Premier League, when they finished bottom of the table.

Redknapp has bags of experience in the top flight, but his record at the helm of QPR is not a good one. He has won just five of his 33 Premier League games in charge of the club, drawing 10 and losing 18 during that time. They have, however, been a little better in front of their own fans this season having picked up all four of their points at Loftus Road. A win over Sunderland and a draw with Stoke have been accountable for those, while they were only narrowly defeated by Liverpool and Hull.

They will fancy their chances of getting something against an Aston Villa side in freefall themselves right now. Paul Lambert's side made a cracking start to the season with 10 points from a possible 12 in their first four games, but they have since failed to add a point to that tally and have plummeted from second in the table down to 15th, just two points clear of the relegation zone.

They have lost their last four outings in the Premier League, although it must be noted that they have had a very tricky run of fixtures during that time. They played last season's top five in consecutive matches, and in truth the three points they have amassed from that run - courtesy of a victory over Liverpool - may have been more than many were expecting. Lambert will be happy to get that tough run out of the way, and a match against bottom of the table should give his side a decent chance of ending their poor form.

While none of their four consecutive defeats have exactly come as a surprise, the manner of the losses will have disappointed Lambert. He would have wanted his side to build off a shock victory over Liverpool, but since that match on September 13 they have failed to even score. The last four games have seen Villa ship 11 goals while not scoring any of their own and failing to amass a single point.

Goals are becoming a major issue for the Villans, who are the lowest scorers in the top four flights of English football this season. Lambert's men have only found the back of the net four times, which is why he will be particularly delighted to see Christian Benteke back in action. It's not as if Villa are simply being wasteful in front of goal either - the chances are not even being created. They have had a measly 12 shots on target from their eight games this season, which is an entire squad is fewer than what Sergio Aguero, Diego Costa and Graziano Pelle have managed individually.

At the other end, things are a little better despite their recent poor form. Only one side outside the top six has conceded fewer goals than Villa this season, although only Newcastle have let in more Premier League goals than the Villans' 48 in 2014. QPR are not exactly firing on all cylinders right now, so Villa will be particularly keen to keep a clean sheet tonight.

Their current run of having lost four games in a row without scoring is the first time such a scenario has happened to Villa since December 2000-January 2001. That, incidentally, was also the last time that they lost five matches on the trot, although they have never failed to score in five consecutive Premier League outings. They will want to make a fast start in order to prevent that from happening tonight as they are the only side in the Premier League to have not scored in the final 15 minutes of a match this season.

Away from home, Villa have actually been fairly solid this season, although they come into this one off the back of consecutive 3-0 defeats on their travels. Six of their 10 points this season have come on the road, where they have beaten Liverpool and Stoke 1-0 apiece.

TEAM NEWS: Right, the teams are in for both sides, and the biggest news for QPR is that Vargas, who came off the bench to score twice against Liverpool last time out, is included in the starting lineup tonight. Rob Green also returns to the side, but there is no place for the injured Onuoha. Villa, meanwhile, start with Benteke, Weimann and Agbonlahor up front as expected, but Senderos remains absent at the back. Full team news for both sides coming right up...

QPR STARTING XI: Green; Isla, Caulker, Dunne, Yoon; Vargas, Sandro, Henry, Fer; Austin, Zamora

QPR SUBS: Murphy, Traore, Ferdinand, Hill, Phillips, Kranjcar, Hoilett

ASTON VILLA STARTING XI: Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Cissokho; Westwood, Cleverley, Sanchez; Weimann, Agbonlahor, Benteke

ASTON VILLA SUBS: Given, Okore, Cole, Bent, Bacuna, Richardson, N'Zogbia

So, what can we make of those two teams? Well, as far as QPR are concerned, it is no surprise to see Vargas brought into the starting lineup following his memorable cameo against Liverpool last weekend. Twice the Chilean thought that he had rescued a point for his side in the closing stages, only for the Reds to go straight up the other end and score themselves. He was a livewire when he was introduced, however, and will be looking to have a similar impact from the start tonight.

Another player who had a major impact during that Liverpool game was Zamora, whose power and strength caused the Reds defence countless problems. As expected, he maintains his place in the starting XI tonight, and he will be hoping that those around him are a little more clinical today. Austin was guilty of missing a fine chance in the first half having linked up with Zamora, and the strike duo will be looking to combine in a similar fashion tonight.

Fer was as guilty as anyone of wasting clear chances for QPR in that last outing, striking the woodwork twice in the first half when he could have put the game to bed for his side. His bursting runs forward from midfield did cause problems, however, and that is something that Villa will need to be wary of tonight. Alongside him in midfield is Sandro, who has shaken off an injury niggle to start.

At the back, Redknapp keeps faith with Dunne and Caulker despite both of their turning the ball into their own net last weekend. Caulker-s match-winning own goal was more bad luck than poor defending, but there is no doubt that Dunne should have done better with his. The veteran centre-back now has a record 10 Premier League own goals, including one in this very fixture while playing for Villa. Behind them, Green has recovered from illness to start in place of McCarthy, who was brought in last weekend.

As for Villa, the presence of Vlaar once again in defence is a big boost for Paul Lambert's side. They haven't been terrible at the back so far this season, but the big Dutchman should help to stop the rot of 11 goals conceded in their last four games while also ensuring that Villa don't miss the presence of the injured Senderos at the back too much.

Another Villa player absent through injury is Delph, leaving Westwood, Cleverley and Sanchez as the midfield trio tonight. QPR had success in the midfield battle against Liverpool, who Villa will be keen for those three players to really impose themselves on the hosts this evening.

Having Benteke back will be a massive boost for Lambert if the Belgian can return to the sort of form he was in before his injury. He made his first start since March against Everton last time out and, although he was unable to find the net on that occasion, his return should ease Villa's goalscoring woes this season. Weimann and Agbonlahor complete a decent front three that enjoys playing on the counter-attack - something that may be of note this evening considering how QPR were caught out twice on the break in the closing stages of their match against Liverpool.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Loftus Road, which means that it is time for a prediction! This is a tricky one to call considering both sides come into it in poor form. The league's worst defence is coming up against the worst attack, making this a particularly intriguing battle. Villa should start firing soon, and I expect them to end their four-match goalless streak, but it may not be enough for the victory tonight. I'll go for a 1-1 draw.

There has never been a goalless draw in the 42 league meetings between these two sides, and the Sports Mole Sofa panel are pretty confident that there won't be one tonight. You can see what they had to say below:

QPR do have a fairly decent record against Aston Villa in the top flight, particularly in front of their own fans. The R's have never lost to the Villans while hosting them in the Premier League, winning three and drawing three of their six outings. However, Villa are unbeaten in their last five meeting with QPR, winning twice and drawing three times.

Tonight's visitors have a dreadful record against teams from the capital having lost nine of their last 10 matches against London clubs. They have failed to even score in their last five visits to London ever since a match against Chelsea in August of last year. You have to go all the way back to 1991 for the last time Villa beat QPR at Loftus Road, although they did win on this ground in 2004 when Fulham were ground-sharing with the R's.

The players are out on the field ahead of the final match of the latest Premier League weekend. We have already seen a host of interesting results this weekend, and with both sides struggling right now, this match could have a major impact on the bottom half of the table. There is plenty riding on this one.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! QPR get us underway at Loftus Road as they look to get a win that will drag them off the bottom of the table.

Solid start to the match for both sides as they look to gain an early foothold here. Both have had a decent amount of the ball and have not been shy to get forward, but no chances to speak of thus far.

SAVE! Green is forced into making the first save of the evening, but it is a comfortable one for the QPR keeper. The hosts failed to clear their lines from a cross from the right flank as the ball was nodded down to Westwood on the edge of the box. It is at an awkward height for the midfielder, whose controlled volley is straight at Green.

Villa have another chance to come forward here as Sandro carelessly gives the ball away in midfield. Agbonlahor gives the ball out to Benteke, but he is well marshalled and forced to settle for a corner.

The resulting corner is played short and back out to the left before being swung into a very dangerous area. Benteke was there to attack it, but Green came flying out of his goal to get a good fist on the ball.

Interestingly, Benteke is starting out on the left flank here, with Agbonlahor given the central role. I'd expect both players to swap roles fairly regularly throughout the match, but for now the Belgian is staying out wide.

Both sides are playing at a decent tempo in these opening exchanges, but there is a lack of quality in the final third right now. Neither side have been able to carve out a really good chance in the opening 10 minutes or so, but neither have come into this game with a particularly defensive mindset.

Good defending from Dunne as he recovers from a quick Villa break to make a fine block to deny Agbonlahor. It stemmed from a poor Green clearance, but Dunne had just enough pace to keep up with Agbonlahor on this occasion and thwart a dangerous situation.

SAVE! What a strike this is from Sanchez, but Green is down well to make the save. A clearance drops to the Villa midfield around 30 yards from goal, and his first-time volley is well struck. There is a lot of movement on the ball, but it is fairly central and Green is able to hold on. Superbly hit volley, but Green would have been disappointed to have been beaten from there.

First blood goes to QPR! It is Zamora who causes the problems again as he shows great strength to hold off Vlaar and chest a long ball down for his striking partner on the edge of the box. Austin is lurking and knows exactly where Zamora is going to send it, and he drills a fine half volley past Guzan and into the corner. It was route one stuff in the build-up, but that was an impressive finish from Austin.

That goal piles the pressure on Aston Villa now. The visitors are heading for a fifth straight defeat as it stands, and they will feel especially disappointed as they had begun to gain a measure of control over the match before that goal. They need to reassume that sooner rather than later now.

CLOSE! Almost a quick response from the visitors as Westwood curls a clever ball in behind the defence from deep. Benteke, who is in a more central role now, gets on the end of it and looks to flick a header into the far corner, but it skims a yard or so past the post.

SHOT! At the other end, QPR look to double their lead through an ambitious Yoon effort. The full-back picked up the ball following a blocked Fer effort, cutting inside before dragging a low shot wide. Guzan got a touch on the way through, but the resulting corner comes to nothing.

Dunne is again responsible for an important block here as Villa break forward in numbers. They have QPR on the ropes a little as Agbonlahor knocks it out wide for Benteke, but his effort from the left side of the area is stopped by Dunne. Villa should have made more of that situation.

Lambert will be happy with how his side have responded to going a goal down here. They have shown enough threat in the final third to suggest that they could break their goalscoring duck tonight, although Green hasn't been tested too much so far.

QPR have been fairly sloppy in possession at times already this evening, with Sandro in particular having sent a few passes astray. Even so, it is developing into an interesting midfield battle here, with both sides looking to wrestle control of the game.

A worry for Villa as Agbonlahor is not moving freely right now. He went down in the middle of the park and immediately seemed to signal to the bench, but he was quick back to his feet and is attempting to carry on. It looks like he may be able to run it off here.

CHANCE! Half a chance for the visitors as Weimann gives Yoon a slight nudge at the back post to latch onto a cross from the left. He can't get great power on his downward header, however, and it is a relatively simple one for Green.

Vlaar found it difficult to deal with Zamora's strength for the goal, but this is better defending from the Dutchman. Zamora look to skip inside him having latched onto a second ball from a free kick, but Vlaar recovered and bundled the ball back to his keeper.

Good play from Green as he comes a long way out of his goal to deal with a long ball forward under pressure. Moments later, Yoon is forced into an important block of his own to deny a Weimann effort from just inside the area.

SHOT! Decent move from QPR as they knock the ball about well inside the Villa half. Henry pings a lovely pass out to Isla, who cuts inside before dropping a short pass back to Sandro. The midfielder digs out a clever looping effort with very little backlift, but it goes just over the top.

Villa come forward this time as the ball is slipped down the right flank for Weimann. He sends an early cross in that deflects off Caulker and into the grateful arms of Green, who got there just before Benteke.

There is a worry for Villa here as Fer slides in with a heavy but fair tackle on Weimann just as the winger was about to pull the trigger. The ball bounces up and is hooked goalwards by Benteke, but it is easy for Green at the front post. Villa's main attention is turned to Weimann, though, with the Austrian writhing about in agony on the floor.

Weimann is certainly not moving freely right now, but it looks to be more of an impact injury, so the Austrian will try to continue here. He will at least try to get to half time so that he can get some more treatment if needed.

QPR haven't shown too much of an attacking threat in the last few minutes, and you feel that they would be happy to simply get to the break with their lead intact right now. They are by no means under the cosh, but they aren't pouring men forward either. Perhaps last weekend's loss has made them a little more cautious.

The fourth official indicates a minimum of two minutes added time at the end of this first half.

Clark very nearly gifts QPR a golden chance at the end of the half as he failed to spot the danger of Vargas closing in on him. However, he reacted at the last second and just about managed to deal with it before the Chilean could nip in and have a clear run at goal.

Lee Mason brings as end to the first half, and it is QPR who go into the break with the lead. As things stand, this would be enough for them to climb off the bottom of the table, although Villa saw the majority of the ball in that first half so will fancy their chances of getting back into it here. We are very nicely set up for the second 45 minutes.

The goal came in the 17th minute as the same formula that caused Liverpool so many problems last weekend worked again. A long ball forward by Dunne found Zamora, who showed great strength to hold off Vlaar and knock it down for Austin. The striker was lurking around 20 yards out and drilled a fine effort into the bottom corner.

Aside from that, there haven't been many clear goalscoring opportunities for either side, with both goalkeepers having a fairly comfortable time of things. The closest Villa have come to a goal saw Benteke flick a header narrowly past the post just after the opener, while Weimann has also missed a half chance with a header at the back post.

Sanchez and Westwood have also tested Green with efforts from outside the box, but on both occasions the QPR keeper made a fairly routine stop. He has had an easy time of things in general so far in this match despite Villa having more possession in this game than in any other this season. It is now four and a half games without a goal for the visitors, and they have never gone five in a row without scoring in the Premier League.

QPR have come close themselves on a couple of occasions other than the goal, most notably through a Sandro effort that dropped just over the crossbar. The midfielder managed to dig out a decent looping effort from the edge of the box, and Guzan would have struggled to reach it, but there was just too much on the effort. Yoon has dragged an effort of his own a yard or so wide, but Guzan hasn't had much to do aside from picking the ball out of his net.

Villa have done a good job of dealing with Zamora on the whole so far, with two players battling it out with the powerful striker from set pieces. However, the build-up to the goal came from open play, which meant that he was able to escape the attentions of the second player, and that proved decisive.

KICKOFF: Villa get us back underway for the second half as they look to battle their way back into this match and avoid a fifth consecutive Premier League defeat.

Benteke has started the second half in a more central role, with Agbonlahor now the man over on the left flank. However, the latter also seems to be drifting inside a lot, and the pair of them are often very close to each other at the moment.

Weimann was struggling towards the end of the first half following a heavy challenge from Fer, but the Austrian seems to be fine now. He is moving much more freely and the half-time interval seems to have been enough to get rids of the effects of that tackle.

QPR have an optimistic appeal for a penalty turned down, with the ball being flicked on inside the box and striking Cissokho. The appeal itself is quite a big one from the QPR players, but the replay shows that the ref was right to turn it down.

Villa are seeing plenty of the ball in this match, but the quality of their final ball has not been good enough. QPR have found it very easy to deal with the majority of the visitors' attacks, and there has been very little penetration from Lambert's side tonight.

CHANCE! That almost changes here as Villa have their best chance of the night. The ball is floated in towards the back post from a free kick, where Benteke rises above Dunne to nod it down into a dangerous area. Clark is there, but he just can't hook his foot around the ball enough to steer his effort on target.

Villa have had a whopping 70% possession in this second half so far, but the vast majority of it has come in front of the QPR defence. The hosts are struggling to come up with anything of their own going forward, but they are looking sturdy at the back right now.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the night goes the way of Weimann, and he can't really have any complaints. He tripped Yoon from behind, and that sort of cynical tackle will always get you a caution.

QPR have thrown themselves in front of everything tonight. Caulker is the latest to get a fine block in, preventing Weimann's powerful strike from reaching the goal after the winger had cut inside from the right flank.

Weimann looks to battle his way past Yoon but is penalised for a foul on the full-back, much to the winger's dismay. He reacts angrily but needs to be careful considering he has just been booked.

QPR SUB: The hosts make their first change of the evening as Zamora comes off to be replaced by Junior Hoilett.

The standard of Villa's crosses from out wide has been poor this evening. They have got into a number of promising positions down either flank, but on too many occasions they have failed to beat the first man.

OFF THE POST! So close to a second goal for QPR,a dn it is the sub Hoilett who almost gets it in style. Sanchez was caught in possession and the hosts immediately looked to take advantage. The ball was shifted out to Hoilett, who curled a superb effort towards the far corner, only to see it clip the outside of the post. Guzan was well beaten there.

Again Sanchez gives the ball away, but this time he is punished as QPR double their advantage. Vargas leads the charge forward down the right flank before delaying his cross a fraction to what for Austin's run. The striker meets the low cross at the front post and flicks a smart finish past Guzan.

ASTON VILLA SUBS: Lambert looks to respond to that second goal with a double change as Joe Cole and Darren Bent replace Weimann and Westwood.

What an important goal that could prove to be for QPR. It makes these final 20 minutes or so much more comfortable for Harry Redknapp's side, who have been forced to chase the ball for long periods in this second half. If they can avoid the sort of naive defending they showed in the closing stages against Liverpool then they should be able to see out this victory now.

CHANCE! Big chance for Villa to pull a goal back, but Cole and Benteke get in each other's way! The duo were both looking to flick a cross on at the near post, but Cole get in front of the striker and blocked his glancing header.

CHANCE! Lovely football from the hosts as they play their way out from defence with a series of one-touch passes that draw the 'Ole!' treatment from the fans. They almost finish it off for what would be one of the best team goals you will see as Vargas times his run to perfection to get in behind the defence. He only has Guzan to beat, but the keeper stands firm to make what could prove to be a vital stop.

YELLOW CARD! Lowton picks up a yellow card, and he can have no complaints whatsoever. He hacked Hoilett down from behind as the winger looked to race forward, and it is one of the clearest cautions you will see this season.

That second goal has really got QPR playing with confidence here. They are knocking the ball about beautifully at the moment, and they look more likely to get a third than Villa do to pull one back right now.

DOUBLE SAVE! Green has pulled off a fine double save to maintain his side's two-goal lead here! The first came from Cleverley, who hammered a well-struck volley towards goal from the edge of the box. Green can only parry it back out into a dangerous area, where Clark is waiting, but Sandro gets a vital foot in to deny the Villa man a shot. Green still has to keep that touch out, however, and just about does so before pouncing on the ball.

At the other end, Fer spins away from his marker before letting fly from around 25 yards, but he doesn't catch his effort as it dribbles straight at Guzan in the Villa goal.

That Green double stop could prove to be vital here. Had Villa pulled a goal back then, you'd have backed the visitors to go and score another given QPR's recent poor form. However, with the two-goal lead still intact it is looking increasingly unlikely that Villa will come back now.

Benteke has not had much joy up front for Villa tonight, but one positive for the visitors is that he looks like he'll last the distance. Having only recently returned from a long-term injury, that will be a big plus for Lambert.

QPR SUB: The hosts make their second change of the night as Vargas makes way to be replaced by Armand Traore.

Very ambitious effort from Benteke as he latches on to a Bent knock down before trying to lift a 30-yard volley over Green, who was not even too far out of his goal. The ball goes flying over the top, giving possession back to QPR once again.

The fourth official indicates a minimum of three minutes added time at the end of this match.

QPR SUB: The third and final change for the hosts sees Niko Kranjcar come on in place of Fer for the final minute or so.

Lee Mason brings an end to proceedings at Loftus Road as QPR pick up just their second win of the season to climb off the bottom of the table. It was all fairly comfortable in the end as they saw out a two-goal winning margin, while the clean sheet will please Harry Redknapp almost as much as the points. The R's are now 19th in the table, two points from safety.

As for Villa, it is now five defeats on the trot for them, and for the first time in their history they have both lost and failed to score in five league games in a row. It is a dreadful record and one that Lambert will be desperate to end as soon as possible, otherwise he could find his side dropping into the bottom three. They remain just two points clear of the relegation zone now.

Both goals came from Charlie Austin on his 200th career appearance, and the finishes were both very impressive from the striker. The first saw him drill a half-volley into the bottom corner from the edge of the box after Zamora had knocked the ball down to him. The second was more of a poacher's finish as he hooked a low ball in at the front post, leaving Guzan no chance in the Villa goal.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole as QPR picked up a priceless victory over Aston Villa to lift themselves off the bottom of the Premier League table. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings, which will be on site shortly. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!