Aston Villa 3-3 QPR

QPR and Aston Villa shared the spoils in a pulsating game that saw both sides take the lead and then lose it.

Matt Phillips gave Rangers the lead after seven minutes only for Christian Benteke to equalise moments later.

The Belgian grabbed his second before the break after a dashing counter attack but Clint Hill headed home Phillips' corner 10 minutes after the interval.

Charlie Austin gave QPR the lead for the second time with 13 minutes remaining as he fired home from close range.

However, it was Benteke who would be taking the match ball home with him as he curled home a free kick from the edge of the area.

The result means that Rangers stay within striking distance of safety but still have work to do if they are not to make this Premier League season a short one.

Opener: Matt Phillips celebrates with Joey Barton after scoring the first goal for QPR

QPR were pegged back in the opening five minutes but when they ventured forward they grabbed the lead.

Some nice build-up play saw the ball fed to Bobby Zamora. The Wembley hero produced an inch perfect cross for Phillips to head home from close range.

But they didn't lead for long as Benteke grabbed his first of the night with his shot taking a deflection off Mauricio Isla past Rob Green.

Villa continued to push forward and Jack Grealish, making his first Premier League start, was denied by the England goalkeeper.

Green had to be on hand again as Ron Vlaar's powerful effort struck the face of Sandro before looping dangerously towards the net and the goalkeeper was alert to turn the ball behind for a corner.

The hosts were starting to take control and it was no surprise that they took the lead with a rapid counter attack.

Gabriel Agbonlahor picked up the ball and fed Benteke who raced clear from 40 yards. He was nearly caught by a desperate Hill but showed awareness to turn the ball into the net to give his side a half-time lead.

Third: Charlie Austin celebrates scoring the third goal for QPR

QPR came out for the second half with renewed vigour with Chris Ramsey bringing on Armand Traore and Karl Henry for the quiet Isla and Niko Kranjcar.

And they had an equaliser as Phillips' corner was met by the head of Hill to level the scores.

The winger was having a wonderful game and played a hand in the winner as he beat two players before feeding Austin in the box and the striker, surely due an England call-up soon, made no mistake from 10 yards.

Denied: Christian Benteke scores the third goal for Aston Villa from a free kick

But Benteke was on song and he completed his hat-trick with seven minutes to go as he curled home a free-kick from the edge of the area after Hill's foul.

Neither side could force a winner and it leaves QPR in relegation trouble.

RANGERS: Green, Isla (Traore 52), Onuoha, Caulker, Hill, Phillips, Sandro (Doughty 71) Barton, Kranjcar (Henry 52), Austin, Zamora.

Subs (not used): McCarthy, Hoilett, Mitchell, Grego-Cox.