Premier League preview: Aston Villa v QPR

[kiwiqpr]

Article
Premier League preview: Aston Villa v QPR
31 January 2012


Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa will look to cast off FA Cup disappointment when they meet at Villa Park in the Premier League on Wednesday. Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa will look to cast off FA Cup disappointment when they meet at Villa Park in the Premier League on Wednesday.

QPR's exit came via a controversial penalty in their 1-0 loss to Chelsea, prompting boss Mark Hughes to again call for the introduction of video referrals.

"The thinking behind any introduction of technology or whatever is always to try and take the controversy out the game," Hughes said.

"Almost every weekend we are discussing referee's decisions and goals that should have been or should have been chalked off. At the weekend, we felt the penalty decision was a little bit contentious, but it was given and we lost the game."

Hughes will be hoping his side can build on their 3-1 victory over Wigan in their last league start.

Another win would drag them further from relegation trouble, and provide real impetus ahead of their next five league games - all against teams in the bottom half.

"I think it's an important period and that's, possibly, why I'm here," the Welshman said.

"This club had this run of fixtures and I felt they needed to acquire points during this period and that's why they felt it was necessary to make a change, to hopefully instigate a run of form."

Hughes has already acted to strengthen his squad with the signings of midfielder Samba Diakite and defender Nedum Onuoha.

They could be joined by Lazio and former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse before the end of the transfer window, with Hughes confirming talks with the player.

Villa will hope there is no cup hangover after they surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at Arsenal on Sunday.

But manager Alex McLeish will be encouraged by their league form, having lost just once in five matches, with that defeat coming at home to Swansea on January 2.
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[Goldhawk]

QUOTE

Jan 31, 2012

Aston Villa and QPR might take each other on in the Premiership tomorrow night at Villa Park but in the fans eyes they are two sides a million miles away from each other.

Rangers got promoted in the summer but they are spending money like it grows on trees and really making a show of intent in terms of not just staying in the division but establishing themselves in the league.

Villa on the other hand are going through, errm well I would like to say a transition period but if I am perfectly honest, I haven’t got a clue what is going on at the club.

The home side will be looking to bounce back from that dreadful second half performance at the Emirates Stadium and continue there recent impressive home form.

QPR will not only be on a high from there new signings but they are still stuck in ‘new manager’ syndrome.

Also, Rangers have never beaten Villa at Villa Park so they will be looking to overcome that, and with Villa’s form not being the best at home this season, and the home crowd will no doubt be on the back of both players and manager if there isn’t a positive performance, this would be a very good opportunity

Teamnews

Aston Villa: Charles N’Zogbia will be available after recovering from a heel injury and could play a part.

Marc Albrighton (thigh) and James Collins (calf) will both be missing, alongside long-term casualty Chris Herd (ankle).

QPR: Djibril Cisse, Taye Taiwo and Nedum Onouha could all be in line to make there debut for Mark Hughes side.

Strikers Jay Bothroyd (groin) and DJ Campbell (hamstring) have both been ruled out, while Heidar Helguson (groin), Akos Buzsaky (ankle) and Danny Gabbidon (hip) are all doubts.

Armand Traore and Adel Taarabt are still on international duty at the African Nations.

Quick Statistics

Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham
Kick Off: 19:45 GMT
Ticket Availability: Tickets available at £20-£25

Squads

Aston Villa: Given, Guzan, Agbonlahor, Bannan, Clark, Cuellar, Dunne, Ireland, Marshall, Petrov, Warnock, N’Zogbia, Hutton, Weimann, Johnson, Burke, Bent, Heskey, Keane, Stevens, Lichaj, Gardner.

QPR: Kenny, Cerny, Murphy, Gabbidon, Onuoha, Ferdinand, Taiwo, Hall, Hill, Young, Derry, Barton, Buzsaky, Smith, Mackie, Helguson, Wright-Phillips, Hulse, Macheda, Cisse.

UNQUOTE

[WBA2_QPR3]

'Also, Rangers have never beaten Villa at Villa Park'

What apart from the last time we played there? Who writes this tosh?

[Rangers Til I Die]

Was in a Chinese restaurant when saw on phone that Stewpeas had scored. Made loud noise of joy / surprise much to embarrassment of rest of family.

More importantly, we are owed some justice for the 1 stonewall and 1very probable penalty not awarded when we played Villa at home.

Just hope Swarbrick behaves himself.

[WBA2_QPR3]

Was a great night RTID, I was stood a couple of rows in front of Tommasi who had joined the away fans and we all went mental when Parejo crossed that sweet ball to Stewpeas

[Rangers Til I Die]

Very good WB2_QP3. We were a pretty average team as I recall and they were better then they are now. A famous victory indeed. In my pre-transfer predictions, I had tomorrow as a draw at best but now....

Probably still take the draw I guess.

[QPR Oslo]

From the other side:
http://www.7500toholte.com/2012/1/31...match-preview?

[Ranger81]

Ah, what a game Sat a few rows from the front in the upper tier, if i remember correctly. A great moment, and a good away day! I also seem to recall a cringy moment when one of their fans had a video message played at half time singing about John Carew... "he's bigger than all of you..." or something like that, was met with a few boo's from the away end!