*Christian Benteke’s hat-trick rescued a vital point for Aston Villa in a pulsating game against Premier League relegation rivals QPR.*

QPR led when Matt Phillips headed in Bobby Zamora’s deft left-wing cross.

Villa levelled through Benteke’s deflected drive, then the Belgian’s calm finish put them ahead.

Clint Hill’s firm header and Charlie Austin’s clinical finish restored QPR’s lead, but Benteke’s free-kick kept Villa out of the bottom three.

Villa would have dropped into the relegation zone, with QPR climbing out at their expense, had they been beaten by the visitors at Villa Park.

But Benteke’s sublime set-piece, which he curled over the away defence into the bottom left corner of the QPR goal, ensured Villa moved up to 16th.

Tim Sherwood’s men are three points clear of the third-bottom visitors, who climbed above Burnley with the draw.

However, both sides will be bitterly disappointed not to have taken maximum points. Villa looked sharper and more inventive for larger periods, but their long-standing defensive frailties allowed Rangers to go within sight of a second successive away win.

Sherwood warned his players ahead of kick-off that they would have to dig deep in a fixture which he described as “the club’s biggest match for years” - and these fighting qualities came to the fore as they snatched a draw.

Rival managers Sherwood and Chris Ramsey are close friends, having worked together at Tottenham and living close to each other, and the two shared warm embraces on the touchline before kick-off and following the final whistle.

Ramsey had only won one game since replacing Harry Redknapp in early February, but saw his side double their tally with a convincing 4-1 win at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

It meant Rangers returned to the West Midlands full of confidence - and they needed just nine minutes to take the lead.

Former England striker Zamora was allowed to run across the Villa penalty area, before clipping a perfectly-weighted cross to the far post where Phillips was waiting.

The Villa fans reacted by providing increased vocal support - and their team responded just 151 seconds later with the equaliser.

Belgium striker Benteke, who had scored five goals in his previous six matches for club and country, charged into the QPR box from
the left touchline and saw his angled shot deflect off Rangers defender Mauricio Isla past his own keeper Robert Green.

Sherwood reacted to the equaliser with a manic celebration - ripping off his jacket and hurling it to the ground - to illustrate what the occasion meant to the Villa manager.

Villa oozed confidence in a high-tempo first half, dominating possession and territory, as the home side used their pace and energy to pull apart QPR’s ageing side.

The Birmingham club, who have not been relegated since 1986-87, deservedly edged ahead when Benteke kept his composure to finish a swift counter attack.

Veteran QPR defender Hill escaped his marker at a corner to restore parity with his first Premier League goal, then England hopeful Austin pounced on a loose ball to sweep in his 17th top-flight goal of the season.

But, after Hill hauled down Villa substitute Charles N’Zogbia on the edge of the QPR penalty area, Benteke converted to walk off with the match ball.