Soccer

Charlie Austin double eases pressure on Harry Redknapp as QPR move off bottom

Aston Villa sliding down table having now gone over eight hours without a goal

Queens Park Rangers’ Charlie Austin celebrates scoring the opening goal of game at Loftus Road, London, last night. Photograph: PA
Queens Park Rangers’ Charlie Austin celebrates scoring the opening goal of game at Loftus Road, London, last night. Photograph: PA
Mon Oct 27 2014 - 22:21

QPR 2 Aston Villa 0

A brace from Charlie Austin lit up an otherwise forgettable game as QPR moved off the bottom of the Premier League and eased the mounting pressure on manager Harry Redknapp.

Having proved the architects of their own downfall with two own goals in the recent defeat to Liverpool, Rangers came out on top at Loftus Road in a game against an Aston Villa outfit bereft of confidence.

When Austin struck a sweet half-volley in the first half, the writing was already on the wall for Paul Lambert’s visitors, who have now gone over eight hours without scoring a goal, and another predatory finish the other side of the interval secured what could be a vital 2-0 win.

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For Redknapp and QPR, this was a much-needed second win of the campaign which lifts them above fellow newly promoted side Burnley.