Aston Villa V QPR at Villa Park : Match Preview

15 March 2013 22:47
Aston Villa V QPR - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Lambert has options

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has no fresh injury worries ahead of the Barclays Premier League relegation clash with QPR at Villa Park.

Striker Darren Bent (foot) and midfielder Karim El Ahmadi (ankle) are still ruled out along with long term casualties Chris Herd, Marc Albrighton, Richard Dunne and Gary Gardner.

Midfielder Fabian Delph will complete a two-game ban after collecting his 10th yellow card of the campaign during the 1-0 home defeat by Manchester City.

Lambert believes Villa will go into the game full of confidence after recent performances have rekindled hopes of prolonging their stay in the top flight.

He is also confident of his young squad being able to handle the expectations of a crowd expected to be in the region of 38,000.

Lambert said: "It's a big game, so was last week, it's the same pressure, but I can see the lads are playing well and with a lot of confidence.

"We know only one way to play, is go and try and win. We will have a brilliant crowd tomorrow which will be right behind us.

"They will drive us on and the onus is on the home team to make the running.

"I think there is pressure anyway whether it's the last 10 or first 10 minutes because of the size of the crowd that come and watch us.

"You have to be able to handle that. That's normal. The crowd will be right behind us like we have all season. We will go into game looking really good at the moment."

QPR boss Harry Redknapp will be able to call upon key duo Adel Taarabt and Julio Cesar.

Both players have trained this week after they were absent for last weekend's 3-1 win over Sunderland at Loftus Road with knocks.

Full-back Armand Traore is the only major worry and was due to have a calf injury assessed in training.

QPR boss Harry Redknapp has admitted the game will play a key role in deciding who is consigned to the drop.

QPR head to Villa Park on the back of a two-game winning run that has revitalised their survival bid.

They were seven points adrift of their rivals at the start of the month but back-to-back wins over Southampton and Sunderland has brought safety within their grasp.

Another victory would leave them just a point behind Villa, who occupy the final safety position, with eight games remaining.

"It is a big game for sure," Redknapp said.

"It's a massive game for both teams. We're both in the relegation battle so it will have an important bearing on the league.

"We have to be ready for the game. It will be a great atmosphere at a good ground, stadium, good club.

"The lads are ready. They are in good fettle."


Source: PA