QPR v Aston Villa player ratings
QPR’s excellent recent run continued as they beat Aston Villa at Loftus Road. Here’s how we rated each Rangers player in the 1-0 victory.
Joe Lumley: 7
A third consecutive clean sheet for Lumley, whose catching and distribution has improved, and he got down well to deny Yannick Bolasie – although he was fortunate to get away with misjudging a Jack Grealish free-kick that clipped the post.
Angel Rangel: 8
So often just a single touch from the reliable Rangel averted danger – and some of his most vital interventions came late in the game as he charged down Grealish’s volley before putting in a timely challenge to foil Tammy Abraham.
Toni Leistner: 7
It’s fair to say the Rangers captain plays without a great deal of finesse, but he was solid overall and produced some key blocks and clearances as the home side dug in to see the game out.
QPR boss Steve McClaren: “This was a big win for us. Villa are a good team. Wow – the attacking options they’ve got are formidable and we had to be at our best defensively. I’m proud of my team for what they showed and for fighting for each other.”
Joel Lynch: 7
While Lynch was strong in the air, he was turned all too easily on more than one occasion and also went into the referee’s notebook for his untidy challenge on Grealish in the first half. But he battled superbly at the heart of the defence.
Jake Bidwell: 6
The left-back got through some efficient work, particularly a challenge to halt John McGinn in his tracks early in the second half, but also wasted a couple of good crossing opportunities.
Pawel Wszolek: 7
Unfortunate not to win a penalty after being held back by Neil Taylor. But he took his next chance with aplomb, running on to Geoff Cameron’s pass and firing what turned out to be the winning goal in off the crossbar.
Geoff Cameron: 8
Looked imperious at times as he patrolled midfield and, while not everything he tried came off, it was his vision and incisive ball over the top that brought about Wszolek’s winner. Did a great job in front of the back four.
Massimo Luongo: 6
Although Luongo looked lively in the early stages, he was generally off the pace, misdirecting a volley just before the break and also earning a yellow card for his foul on Jonathan Kodjia.
Luke Freeman: 8
Snapping at the heels of opponents throughout, Freeman looks more comfortable darting in from the left rather than hugging the touchline and made himself a persistent nuisance to Villa. Had a couple of attempts on goal and created a chance for Ebere Eze.
Ebere Eze: 7
Eze’s deft footwork frequently created space for both himself and his team-mates and a one-two with Freeman almost enabled Rangers to double their advantage soon after Wszolek’s strike.
Tomer Hemed: 7
Although Hemed had no opportunities to extend his scoring run, his touch looked sharp and he set up openings for Freeman and Eze before making way for Nahki Wells just after the hour.
Nahki Wells: 6
Sent on for the final half-hour, Wells worked hard but should have been more single-minded when Freeman picked him out inside the penalty area, instead of trying to play the ball wide.
Josh Scowen: 7
The midfielder put in a tidy display after replacing Cameron for the final 20 minutes and might even have grabbed a second goal but for Orjan Nyland’s tip-over save in injury time.
