..::Football III::..

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Mulumbu: I didn't deliberately elbow Barton

West Brom midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu will discuss the possibility of appealing his red card in Saturday's Premier League defeat to QPR with head coach Tony Pulis.

Mulumbu lasted just 12 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute in a disappointing 4-1 loss, receiving his marching orders after catching Joey Barton with his elbow.

The 28-year-old has protested his innocence, though, insisting that the decision of referee Lee Probert was harsh.

"I just jumped higher than Joey Barton," Mulumbu told reporters. "I didn't even know what player it was.

"I just jumped higher than him and I didn't make any movement with my shoulder. I think it's harsh but that's how it is.

"I didn't make any movement to hurt anybody so we will speak with the coach and the club and see what is the best way to sort this out."

Barton, who scored QPR's fourth goal at The Hawthorns, also came out in defence of Mulumbu after the game, stating the offence did not warrant a straight red.

 

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Simeone: Mandzukic has been injured for 10 games

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has revealed that Mario Mandzukic has
been carrying an injury for the past 10 games.

The Croatia international has netted just once in his last seven outings in all competitions but Simeone says that the striker has been struggling with an ankle knock for just under two months.

"He has been injured for 10 games," the Argentine told reporters on the eve of Tuesday's Liga meeting with Real Sociedad.

"As everyone saw, he played 88 minutes in pain against Leverkusen [in the Champions League on March 17], showing great spirit and commitment to the team."How's this for class? Yesterday [Sunday] there was a knock at my door. Mario walks in with an interpreter, because obviously I don't speak his language.

"Showing a huge amount of class, befitting the extraordinary player he is, he said, 'My ankle's sore and I'm not coming up with the goods. I'm not in the condition that the team need me to be in.'

"I was really grateful to him for telling me because he had been training like normal and he would have been in the starting line-up tomorrow [Tuesday] because I view him as a starter."Therefore, tomorrow [Tuesday] he will not play and we are looking forward to the day he will return completely recovered."

Atletico can close to within two points of second-placed city rivals Real Madrid, and six of Liga leaders Barcelona, by defeating Sociedad at the Vicente Calderon.
However, Simeone says his sole concern is finishing third, ahead of Valencia and Sevilla.

"We have no time to think of the leaders," the former midfield ace added. "Our league is still against Valencia and Sevilla. "It's going to be a very a good battle for third but also very difficult."

 

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Zidane reveals Real Madrid are watching Sterling

Zinedine Zidane says Real Madrid are monitoring the progress of Liverpool star Raheem Sterling.

Sterling's future has been the subject of much speculation after he gave an interview to BBC Sport last week addressing his contract situation at Anfield, stating he did not want to be perceived as a "money-grabbing 20-year-old" as talks continue over an extension to his current deal, which expires in 2017.

And Madrid legend Zidane, whos is now on the coaching staff at the Santiago Bernabeu, has admitted the Spanish giants are keeping tabs on the England international.

"We know who Raheem Sterling is, and of course we are monitoring him as a player," Zidane told the Daily Mail.

"There are very few players in the world who can improve the Real Madrid squad, so it is going to make sense we monitor the progress of the best young players in the world.

"We monitored Bale for over a year, the same with Isco and also Varane.

"We monitor many of the best young players in Europe, then if we feel they have something to offer Real Madrid we will contact their club and try and make the next step."

 

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Hummels: My future will become clear in the coming weeks

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels says his future will become clear "in the coming weeks" amid continued talk of a potential move to Manchester United.
The 26-year-old has already confirmed he is considering a possible exit from Signal Iduna Park, though he has denied suggestions he has a long-standing agreement to join the 20-time English champions.

While Hummels rejects the notion he has already decided to leave Dortmund, the Germany international says he is mulling over his situation with the club and could well have a clearer idea before the end of the season.

"It doesn't mean that I am leaving, it just means I'm reflecting," he told Sky following Dortmund's defeat to Bayern Munich."There is no particular tendency one way or the other. It's just thoughts going through my mind. It will all become clearer in the coming weeks."

Hummels referred to a 'gut feeling' which prompted him to make his move from Bayern to Dortmund permanent after a loan spell in 2008, and added: "It's going to be the same again this time."Hummels has two years left on his current deal with the 2013 Champions League finalists.

 

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Alonso targets cup hat-trick as Bayern continue treble push

Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso has his sights set on winning the domestic cup competition in a third different country.

The Spaniard won the FA Cup with Liverpool in 2006, before two Copa del Rey trophies with Real Madrid in 2011 and 2014.

And, as Bayern prepare for Wednesday's DFB-Pokal quarter-final at Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso is aiming to complete a hat-trick of cup victories.
"I have won the cup in England and Spain. I want to win it here, too," he said.

"Leverkusen are tough to beat. They are a good side and always look to attack. We will need a top performance - it is make or break."

Bayern welcomed Thiago Alcantara back from the bench late in Saturday's 1-0 win at Borussia Dortmund, the midfielder having missed a year with a serious knee injury.

"It is great that he is there again," Alonso said."We have seen in those few minutes his enormous qualities. He is so strong on the ball, in one-on-ones and we need a player like that in the big games."

Thomas Muller, meanwhile, has warned that Leverkusen will do their utmost to make life "uncomfortable" - but has challenged his team-mates to end their strong recent defensive run."Leverkusen are in excellent shape and they use a style of play which is very uncomfortable for their opponents," said the Germany forward.

"It's a cup game, anything can happen. So we will need a top performance to go through.

"I think it's a good sign that Leverkusen had five clean sheets in a row recently. At some point they have to conceed a goal again."

 

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Hummels should join Man United - Hamann

Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes that the time is right for Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels to join Manchester United.

The 26-year-old centre-back has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford throughout this season and he remains a long-term target of Louis van Gaal's.

Hummels has admitted that he is considering his future at the moment, but denied reports that he has made a promise to move to Old Trafford.

Hamann believes it makes sense for Hummels to move on this summer and believes United is the ideal club for him.

"He is interesting to many clubs. Hummels has had some great performances at Dortmund but a transfer makes sense for both sides," he said on German TV show Sky90.

"He has done everything with Dortmund. He is at a point where he needs a new challenge. Van Gaal wants him and United need someone who can build up their game.

"His era has come to an end. He has not played as well this year but he is still very successful. For both parties, it would be best if Hummels changes club this summer."

 

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Hierro: Madrid can defend Champions League title

Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro believes the Santiago Bernabeu side have what it takes to win a second consecutive Champions League title this season.

No team has ever successfully defended its European title since the introduction of the Champions League in its current format, yet Hierro feels the Santiago Bernabeu side have the quality to build on last year's win over Atletico Madrid."I think the current squad can go on a successful European run like we did in the late 1990s and early 2000s," Hierro told the official Uefa website.

"They are strong and confident and they won a very close Champions League final last time.

"Every record is there just to be broken. Everyone is pessimistic now because no club has won back to back Champions Leagues, but I think we are a really powerful team with a great coach leading us."The urge to be champions of Europe is in the club's DNA."

Madrid beat Schalke 5-4 on aggregate to book their ticket for the quarter-finals of the competition, where they will meet city-rivals Atletico Madrid.

 

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Tottenham out of race for Champions League spots - Neville

Gary Neville believes there is no way back for Tottenham in their bid to qualify for the Champions League after they drew 0-0 with Burnley on Sunday.

Tottenham - sixth in the Premier League standings - slipped seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, who have played a game less.

Mauricio Pochettino's men have won only one of their past three fixtures and now face an uphill battle to finish in the top four with seven matches remaining.

"It's mathematically possible but with a performance like that today, I think you'll find it's difficult really," Neville said on Sky Sports' The Gary Neville Podcast .

"They look a little bit depleted as well. I saw them before Christmas play at home against Everton, and they were really sharp and they looked fiery in that game.

"If I'm looking at them in this last month, you think of the game at Old Trafford, they've gone out of Europe, and they've lost the Capital One Cup.

"They've had a couple of heavy blows in this last four or five weeks and I think at this point in the season, it looks to me like they've just gone over the top a bit.

"They maybe need some reinforcements and that obviously won’t be coming until the end of the season."

 

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Mourinho: Remy is crucial to Chelsea

Jose Mourinho feels Loic Remy's contribution has been "crucial" to Chelsea after the Frenchman scored his second match-winning goal in as many games.

The French striker tapped in a square pass from Eden Hazard to give Chelsea a 2-1 victory over Stoke City on Saturday, having also scored the winner in the London club's 3-2 triumph over Hull City in their previous game.

The goal against Stoke took Remy's tally to five in the Premier League this season, and Mourinho applauded the 28-year-old's ability to make an impact regardless of the amount of time he spends on the pitch.

"Remy keeps himself in great condition, even without having played many minutes, to be ready for us," Mourinho said.

"He's a great boy and his contribution is already crucial, with these two match-winners in the last two matches."

With Diego Costa's persistent hamstring problem set to keep him out of action for at least a few weeks, Remy could be set for more game-time.

And Mourinho insisted that Remy's poacher's instinct means he is a more than able deputy.

"When Eden recovered the ball from a loose throw from Asmir Begovic, you could see immediately Remy sprinted to score what I call an easy goal, but I love strikers to score easy goals," the Portuguese manager said.

"The tap-in when the goalkeeper has an incomplete save, attacking the ball on a low cross, rebounds - I love the easy goals from a striker."

 

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Mata: Herrera is a genius

Juan Mata called Ander Herrera a "genius" after his two goals inspired Manchester United to a 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

Herrera opened the scoring at Old Trafford with a low shot past Brad Guzan before adding his second, and United's third, in stoppage time to seal the win that moved Louis van Gaal's side up to third in the Premier League table.

And Mata believes the former Athletic Bilbao star's "genius" is now shining through after a slow start to his Old Trafford career.

He wrote on his blog: "It was a great day in Old Trafford.

"The team performed at a very high level, we fought from the very first minute to win the game and we were able to score in decisive moments to make things difficult for Aston Villa. We tried to use both wings and circulate the ball fast, and actually that’s how we scored.

"Three great goals I’d say. Wayne Rooney's goal was spectacular, really nice to watch; not many players can score a goal like that. And two more goals from Ander. I think this is the first time he scores twice in a game and I’m very happy for him! The truth is he deserves it. He is a genius on and off the pitch and I know how happy he was after the game."

Looking ahead to the Manchester derby clash on April 12, Mata believes the fixture could be decisive in the battle to finish in the Champions League spots. He added: "The team is improving, this is our fifth consecutive win in the Premiership and we want to keep this streak.

"Winning the derby against City next Sunday could be very important for the battle in the #top4. A derby is always special and we must be careful with City’s attacking players, because they can win the game in an isolated play."

 

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Mourinho: Fabregas has been wonderful

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has defended Cesc Fabregas over his form in the second half of the season, insisting the midfielder has been "wonderful".

Having recorded 15 assists in his first 21 league appearances, Fabregas has set up just one goal in his last 13 in all competitions, with the Spaniard coming in for some criticism for a perceived drop-off in form.

But Mourinho insists that he is happy with Fabregas' performances and maintains that he is vital to his Chelsea side.

“When some people write that Fabregas has dropped his level because the number of assists are not the same, the number of assists are probably not the same because the player that he assists doesn’t score.

“I think he’s playing wonderfully well for us. I’ve never had doubts about his importance for us in the team".

Nemanja Matic is another Chelsea player to have experienced a slight downturn in form, with the Serb failing to hit his early-season heights in recent weeks.

Mourinho, though, was quick to point out that being in and out of the team has not helped his defensive midfielder.

“As for Matic, he was suspended, and after the suspension he was injured celebrating in the Capital One Cup final. So he cape back and he was not in the best condition", the Portuguese added.

“He was out for two or three weeks so it takes time but I always think stability is very important in a team, and it’s not in April you are going to make important changes."

The Blues beat Stoke 2-1 on Saturday as their march towards the Premier League title continues, and Mourinho is happy with the mental strength they have shown.

“We have strong ­mentalities. We try to cope with the difficult moments we have during the whole season.

“We are ready for ­everything and we believe that the most difficult job is the job of the others that come from behind. Because the others, if they draw one game, they are in trouble. They have to win every game so it’s more difficult for them than for us.

“April is a moment of stability and obviously I keep faith in the people that I trust from the beginning of the season.”

 

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Pellegrini: Man City may need to spend big this summer

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has already started planning for next season by stating he wants to reinforce his squad with high-profile recruitments.

City – fourth in the table heading into Monday's trip to Crystal Palace – appear destined to relinquish their Premier League crown as Chelsea sit nine points ahead of Pellegrini's men with eight matches remaining.

City and Chelsea are the two sides leading the race to sign Juventus star Paul Pogba and, with the club set for a largely disappointing season after bowing out of the Champions League last month and failing to pick up any silverware, it is little surprise that Pellegrini is already looking towards the summer transfer window.

"It is the way of thinking that big teams need to sign a big player. It is very difficult to do it every year, but every two years you must do it," said Pellegrini, whose side can reclaim second spot with victory at Selhurst Park.

"I'm not just talking about Manchester City. You see Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich – all the big clubs – they all do it. It is important to have big names.

"I don't want to talk about plans for next season because we have to finish this season. It is very important the way we finish this season before we analyse all the players. So it is not the right moment to talk about it."

 

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Bender: Dortmund not good enough going forward

Sven Bender has voiced his frustration with Borussia Dortmund's inability to score goals in the wake of their 1-0 Bundesliga loss at home to Bayern Munich on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp's men have failed to score in four of their last five league games, with poor form seeing them drop further behind the Champions League places.

Bender has admitted BVB must do better in front of goal and has called for improvement in Tuesday's DFB Pokal encounter with Hoffenheim.

"You can only progress to the next round if you score goals," Bender was quoted as saying by Reviersport."It's not prohibited for any of us to score a goal. A defender could also find the net after a set piece.

"Everything is allowed and we should all do something extra to try and score."
Dortmund have scored 34 goals in 27 Bundesliga matches so far this term, while netting 15 more in eight Champions League games.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leads the club's goalscoring charts at the moment with 18 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions.

 

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Gotze accepts substitute role, claims Sammer

Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has stressed that Mario Gotze was fine with Pep Guardiola's decision to bench him versus Borussia Dortmund.
The Germany international was desperate to make an impact against his former team heading into the game, but eventually had to settle for a substitute's role in his side's 1-0 win.

Gotze only featured for the final 10 minutes of the game after replacing Thomas Muller, but Sammer has insisted the 2014 World Cup winner realises the team's interests come first.

"Of course, Mario would have preferred to play from the start," Sammer was quoted as saying by TZ."We are Bayern Munich, though. The individual has to realise the team's success comes first.

"And Mario understood and accepted this."There are plenty of big games coming up and we have to be flexible. He will get the chance to score some important goals in the weeks to come and everything is alright again then."

Gotze has been a key figure for Bayern this term, scoring nine goals in 25 Bundesliga appearances.

 

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Barclays Premier League 2015.04.07 Fixture

Barclays Premier League 2015.04.07 Fixture

Aston Villa Vs QPR

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La Liga 2015.04.07 Fixtures

La Liga 2015.04.07 Fixtures

Atletico Madrid Vs Real Sociedad

Eibar Vs Malaga

Levante Vs Sevilla​

 

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Coppa Italia 2nd Leg Fixture 2015.03.07

Coppa Italia 2nd Leg Fixture 2015.03.07

AGG

(2-1)

Fiorentina Vs Juventus​

 

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Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Hoffenheim (aet): Kehl cracker sends BVB into semi-finals

Sebastian Kehl scored a stunning extra-time winner as Borussia Dortmund progressed to the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal with a 3-2 win over Hoffenheim on Tuesday.

Dortmund, last year's beaten finalists, were made to work hard for their place in the last four, despite Neven Subotic giving them an early lead with a smart strike.
Kevin Volland's fierce finish equalised matters soon after and Roberto Firmino capitalised on a mistake from Subotic to turn things in the visitors' favour before half-time.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang levelled things up once more in 57th minute as he converted from Erik Durm's cross and, although Dortmund could not finish things off in normal time, Kehl did so spectacularly after 107 minutes.

The veteran midfielder let fly with a magnificent volley from 30 yards that cannoned off the post and in to keep Dortmund's hopes of silverware alive.

Dortmund's early dominance of possession was rewarded in the 19th minute when Subotic hooked a volley in off the post from Jakub Blaszczykowski’s corner.
But the hosts' lead lasted just two minutes, Volland answering in fine fashion as Dortmund failed to defend a corner at the other end.

Volland powered Sebastian Rudy's floated delivery into the bottom-right hand corner with a perfectly struck volley.

And Hoffenheim then completed the turnaround, Subotic going from hero to villain in the 27th minute with a sloppy piece of defending.

Subotic lost possession to Firmino inside his own half and the Brazil forward - who netted his first goal for his country in the recent international break - made no mistake by racing away and coolly lifting the ball over Mitchell Langerak.
Dortmund went close to levelling three minutes into the second half when Aubameyang fired narrowly wide of the left-hand post, before Ilkay Gundogan shot straight at Oliver Baumann at the end of a free-flowing move.However, Aubameyang then atoned for his earlier miss, meeting Durm's cross with a powerful header that left Baumann helpless.

The Hoffenheim goalkeeper was equal to Aubameyang's next effort, though, which he turned wide at the near post as Dortmund pressed for a winner.Baumann thwarted Subotic 12 minutes from time, the Serb seeing his header from another Blaszczykowski corner brilliantly turned over the crossbar.

Eugen Polanaski was denied at the other end by Langerak and Firmino lashed wide late on as both teams searched for a winner, with normal time fittingly ended by a Baumann save from Blaszczykowski.

Dortmund dominated the first period of extra time, and were finally rewarded two minutes into the second period by Kehl's superb drive after Hoffenheim had failed to clear a cross into the box.

Kevin Kampl then shot over the bar from point-blank range after Baumann had kept out a Shinji Kagawa header but that mattered not as Dortmund stood firm to seal progression in dramatic fashion.

 

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Fiorentina 0-3 Juventus (agg. 2-4): Bianconeri brush Viola aside to reach Coppa Italia final

Juventus moved closer to a first Coppa Italia trophy in 20 years, reaching the showpiece after overturning a first-leg deficit to beat Fiorentina 3-0 and seal a 4-2 aggregate success in their semi-final on Tuesday.

The Italian champions suffered their first home loss since 2013 in the first leg but produced an excellent display in Florence as goals from Alessandro Matri, Roberto Pereyra and Leonardo Bonucci secured their progression.

Making the win more impressive was the amount of stars Juventus were without. Forward Carlos Tevez missed with a muscular problem while Andrea Pirlo (calf) and Paul Pogba (hamstring) remained on the sidelines and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was rested.

Their win was soured by an 88th-minute red card to forward Alvaro Morata, a decision which seemed harsh. Morata's tackle on Alessandro Diamanti was clumsy, but not reckless. He will now join Claudio Marchisio in missing the final, after the midfielder was shown a second-half yellow card.

Despite the late cards, Massimiliano Allegri's men were more than comfortable against a flat Fiorentina and will now meet either Napoli or Lazio in the June 7 final in Rome.Juventus last lifted the Coppa Italia in 1995, beating Parma over two legs, but have lost three finals since, most recently to Napoli in 2012.

Fiorentina's defeat means their own drought - which runs back to 2001 - continues. They lost last season's final to Napoli.

Mohamed Salah - so superb since joining Fiorentina on loan from Chelsea in January - tormented Juve in the first leg, scoring both goals in their 2-1 away win.
And he was nearly at it again as early as the fourth minute, after he wriggled his way into the penalty area before scoring, only to see the effort ruled out for his push on Bonucci in the build-up.

It was an early warning sign and Fiorentina would go on to control the first 20 minutes before falling behind, after Marchisio broke down the right and found Matri, who played in Morata.And while the Spaniard's effort was blocked, Matri pounced on the loose ball to prod past Neto and level the tie.

Stefano Sturaro went close as Juve pressed for a second, while at the other end, Fiorentina had another goal chalked off as Gonzalo Rodriguez was correctly adjudged offside before he nodded in a free-kick.

Juventus then took the aggregate lead on the stroke of half-time, as Pereyra, a constant threat with his powerful forward runs, tapped in the rebound from close range after Morata's effort was saved.

Fiorentina were expected to respond after the break and they did initially, as Mario Gomez fired into the side netting before Salah missed the target after a dangerous run.

But their revival fizzled out as Pereyra's shot was nearly deflected in by Stefan Savic before the same player forced a good save from Neto.And Juventus would seal their victory from the resulting corner, as Bonucci got free of his man to volley home from seven yards in the 59th minute.

Rodriguez was then booked for an elbow on Morata as they contested a high ball, but Marchisio - who was passed fit to play despite fears he suffered a serious knee injury on international duty - was booked for his remonstrations.

Alberto Aquilani fired just wide as Fiorentina sought a response but the match petered out in the latter stages, as Juventus - leading Serie A by 14 points and still involved in the Champions League - began to dream of a historic treble.

And although Morata's late dismissal was unfortunate, Allegri will hope to have the likes of Tevez, Pirlo and Pogba back for the final.

 

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Aston Villa 3-3 QPR: Benteke nets hat-trick in thrilling relegation showdown

Christian Benteke scored a hat-trick to earn Aston Villa a crucial point in a thrilling 3-3 draw with fellow Premier League strugglers QPR on Tuesday.

The in-form Belgian, who has now scored seven goals in his last five top-flight outings, netted a brilliant free-kick seven minutes from time to complete his treble and deny Chris Ramsey's QPR a win that would have moved them above Villa into 17th place.

QPR's Matt Phillips scored the opener after just seven minutes at Villa Park, before Benteke's double put the hosts ahead at half-time.

Clint Hill equalised for Ramsey's men after the interval, and Charlie Austin put them in front in the 78th minute.

QPR were set to move out of the bottom three, but Benteke had the final say with a curling free-kick from 20 yards that left Rob Green with no chance and moved Villa above Hull City into 16th.

The visitors began the game quietly, but their first attack led to the opening goal.

Bobby Zamora worked space with his back to goal and curled the ball over the defence for the unmarked Phillips to stoop and head home.

Villa were level almost immediately, though, as Benteke found his own opening after cutting back from the left touchline and hit a shot that deflected off Steven Caulker's foot and over Green.

In a rare attack, QPR forced a corner that Villa twice failed to clear properly before the hosts broke to take the lead shortly after the half-hour mark.

Gabriel Agbonlahor flicked Carlos Sanchez's clearance on for Benteke, and the striker raced clear before calmly dispatching past Green from the edge of the area.

Jack Grealish, making his full Villa debut, tested Green early in the second half, before Hill glanced home Phillips' corner from the right to draw QPR level.

Austin then shot straight at Brad Guzan as QPR sought to re-take the lead, and Benteke and Agbonlahor were not able to get on the end of Ron Vlaar's delivery.

QPR talisman Austin was not to be denied 12 minutes from time, however, as he smashed home Phillips' low delivery from close range.

But, fittingly, it was Benteke who stole the headlines from the pulsating clash with his fantastic set-piece in the dying minutes.

Christian Benteke scored a hat-trick to earn Aston Villa a crucial point in a thrilling 3-3 draw with fellow Premier League strugglers QPR on Tuesday.

The in-form Belgian, who has now scored seven goals in his last five top-flight outings, netted a brilliant free-kick seven minutes from time to complete his treble and deny Chris Ramsey's QPR a win that would have moved them above Villa into 17th place.

QPR's Matt Phillips scored the opener after just seven minutes at Villa Park, before Benteke's double put the hosts ahead at half-time.

Clint Hill equalised for Ramsey's men after the interval, and Charlie Austin put them in front in the 78th minute.

QPR were set to move out of the bottom three, but Benteke had the final say with a curling free-kick from 20 yards that left Rob Green with no chance and moved Villa above Hull City into 16th.

The visitors began the game quietly, but their first attack led to the opening goal.

Bobby Zamora worked space with his back to goal and curled the ball over the defence for the unmarked Phillips to stoop and head home.

Villa were level almost immediately, though, as Benteke found his own opening after cutting back from the left touchline and hit a shot that deflected off Steven Caulker's foot and over Green.

In a rare attack, QPR forced a corner that Villa twice failed to clear properly before the hosts broke to take the lead shortly after the half-hour mark.

Gabriel Agbonlahor flicked Carlos Sanchez's clearance on for Benteke, and the striker raced clear before calmly dispatching past Green from the edge of the area.

Jack Grealish, making his full Villa debut, tested Green early in the second half, before Hill glanced home Phillips' corner from the right to draw QPR level.

Austin then shot straight at Brad Guzan as QPR sought to re-take the lead, and Benteke and Agbonlahor were not able to get on the end of Ron Vlaar's delivery.

QPR talisman Austin was not to be denied 12 minutes from time, however, as he smashed home Phillips' low delivery from close range.

But, fittingly, it was Benteke who stole the headlines from the pulsating clash with his fantastic set-piece in the dying minutes.