2-2

*Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham took his goal tally for the season to 16 in an entertaining draw with fellow play-off hopefuls QPR.*

Villa made an excellent start and took the lead when John McGinn, who had earlier hit the crossbar, sent in a perfect cross for Abraham to head home.

Luke Freeman levelled for the visitors before the break when he smashed home from 25 yards out and Ebere Eze put them in front with a good finish after a quick counter-attack.

Abraham put the hosts back on level terms from sub Anwar El-Ghazi’s cross, but Conor Hourihane’s free-kick was just too high and Yannick Bolasie headed over as QPR managed to hold on for 11 minutes of stoppage time.

Despite piling forward in the latter stages Villa were unable to find a winner in a game that stretched well past the 100-minute mark after a collision between Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia and R’s goalkeeper Joe Lumley.

A fourth victory in five games would have lifted Steve McClaren’s victors to two points outside the top six, but they could not hold on to claim a win at Villa Park for the second successive season.

In contrast to their recent good form, Villa, who are five points outside the play-offs, have won just one of the four games influential midfielder Jack Grealish has missed because of a calf injury.

The Villans made five changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Preston on Saturday, including starts for goalkeeper Jed Steer and defender Tommy Elphick, who were recalled from loan spells at Charlton and Hull City respectively.

The alterations looked to have paid dividends as Dean Smith’s side started strongly but they could not build on Abraham’s 15th goal of the season and ended up indebted to the Chelsea loanee for salvaging a point.

They host Swansea in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, while QPR are at home against Championship leaders Leeds on Sunday.

*Aston Villa boss Dean Smith:*

”It was frustrating as we know it was a game we should have won. After Abraham’s first goal we fell away when we should have capitalised upon it.

“We lacked a bit of quality although the players showed a lot of character. Probably the four games in 10 days took their toll on key players like John McGinn and Conor Hourihane. Their quality was not as good as it usually is.

“Tammy has shown no inclination to go back to Chelsea. We are very happy with the way He is developing as a player and as a person. He is very happy and you can see the connection he has the supporters, the players and staff.

“Chelsea seem very happy as he developing as a player and scoring goals in the Championship. For all three parties it is a win, win, win.”