Birmingham, England (SportsNetwork.com) - Aston Villa and QPR split the points on offer at Villa Park on Tuesday as the two clubs played to a thrilling 3-3 draw.
QPR took the lead on two separate occasions, but the hosts ultimately claimed a share of the spoils thanks to a hat trick from Christian Benteke.
Villa fell behind after only seven minutes following a header at the back post from Matthew Phillips, but Benteke answered within three minutes as the Belgian striker collected a pass from Fabian Delph, drifted inside and fired a shot that took a slight deflection on its way past Robert Green.
The hosts went in front just after half-hour mark as Gabriel Agbonlahor released Benteke through on goal, allowing the Villa strike to slot a shot past Green with ease.
QPR, though, restored its lead in the second period with goals coming 23 minutes apart.
Clint Hill leveled the score in the 55th minute by nodding home a corner kick with a glancing header for his first-ever Premier League goal.
Charlie Austin then produced the go-ahead goal in the 78th, settling a low cross from Phillips and hammering a shot into the back of the net.
Villa ultimately climbed back on level footing as Benteke curled a splendid free kick off the post and into the back of the net in the 83rd minute.
The result sees the bottom of the Premier League table very tight as QPR move to 22 points, four points clear of last-place Leicester City. Aston Villa, meanwhile, improves to 29 points.
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