Aston Villa moved six points clear of the relegation zone and damaged Queens Park Rangers' own Premier League survival hopes with a 3-2 win at Villa Park this afternoon.
Jermaine Jenas poked QPR into a 20th-minute advantage, but Gabriel Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann netted either side of the break to put Villa ahead.
Andros Townsend bagged his second in as many matches to level the scores, but Christian Benteke secured Paul Lambert's hosts a crucial victory with an 81st-minute winner.
Below, Sports Mole analyses whether the result was reflective of the action in the West Midlands.
Match statistics
Villa:
Shots: 10
On target: 6
Possession: 59%
Corners: 9
Fouls: 16
QPR:
Shots: 18
On target: 11
Possession: 41%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 10
Was the result fair?
From a neutral's point of view, this was almost everything you want from a Premier League match, but that won't console Harry Redknapp. He will feel that his side did enough to deserve at least a point from this encounter after they dominated large periods of both halves. Villa had more possession and their good spells too, but the stats will show that QPR were unfortunate and, on this occasion, it is hard to argue with them.
Villa's performance
Their previously uninspired display was changed by one moment - Agbonlahor's equaliser in first-half stoppage time. After being on the back foot for most of the opening 45 minutes, his goal gave Villa the momentum and they were a different side, a real attacking threat after the resumption of play. They were understandably uneasy when Townsend equalised and gave QPR the emphasis again, but Benteke scored against the run of play to settle their nerves. Unlike on other occasions this season, Lambert's defence hung on in the latter stages as they and the whole team fought valiantly, as they had done all match, to maintain their slender advantage.
QPR's performance
The Hoops were quick out of the blocks and could have been 2-0 up inside 10 minutes, had it not been for a fine Brad Guzan double save. They continued to pose an attacking threat, but it was at the other end where they lost this contest. Defensive or goalkeeping errors were costly in the buildup to all three Villa goals and that is what will frustrate Redknapp this evening.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Brad Guzan: QPR would have had the match wrapped up inside half-an-hour if Guzan had not been on top form. As well as twice denying Christopher Samba at full stretch, he brilliantly saved from Loic Remy later in the half. It was his early heroics that kept Villa in the contest by the time they started playing after the interval.
Biggest gaffe
Julio Cesar has proven himself to remain a high-quality keeper this season, but he was partially at fault for Villa's opening two goals. He remained rooted to his line when Matthew Lowton's delivery from deep was angled in six yards out by Agbonlahor, and then failed to deal with Weimann's well-struck drive.
Referee's performance
Kevin Friend had an excellent game. Both sides were fierce in the tackle, but the referee was sensible with his handing out of bookings and free kicks.
What next?
Villa: A home game against Liverpool next Sunday, where they will hope to maintain or even extend their cushion on the relegation zone.
QPR: A London derby at Fulham before a crucial bottom-of-the-table clash against Wigan Athletic.
Joe Fish
