Mbia carried off as QPR again fail to win

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QPR 1 Aston Villa 1

QPR equalled a Premier League record by failing to win Harry Redknapp’s first home match in charge.

After going behind to Brett Holman’s early goal, they were hauled level by Jamie Mackie’s 18th-minute equaliser.

But they were unable to make their second-half pressure count and have now endured the longest winless start to a top-flight season since Swindon’s 15-match run during the 1993/94 campaign.

And there was concern for Stephane Mbia, who was stretchered off following an accidental collision with Aston Villa’s Gabby Agbonlahor seven minutes before the break.

Villa went ahead when keeper Rob Green, recalled to the starting line-up because of an injury to Julio Cesar, got a firm hand to Holman’s eighth-minute shot but was unable to keep it out.

Mackie responded with a fine header into the far corner from Samba Diakite’s right-wing cross.

Villa then thought their lead had been restored when Christian Benteke headed in Matt Lowton’s cross, but the impressive forward was in an offside position.

Redknapp dropped Djibril Cisse to the bench, deploying Mackie as a lone striker and giving Shaun Wright-Phillips a starting place.

Wright-Phillips wasted a great chance when he shot straight at keeper Brad Guzan after being put through by Esteban Granero.

He was then unlucky to see a thumping half-volley strike the near post after he had raced onto a similar ball forward from Mbia, who was having a good game before an off-the-ball clash left him flat on his back.

Mbia barely moved during several minutes of treatment before being carried away. He was later taken to hospital for precautionary tests.

Guzan produced second-half saves to deny Ryan Nelsen, Diakite – who limped off on 67 minutes – Ji-sung Park and Armand Traore.

And Rangers hit the woodwork for the second time when Clint Hill headed Adel Taarabt’s late corner against the bar.

QPR (4-1-4-1): Green; Bosingwa, Nelsen, Hill, Traore; Mbia (Derry 38); Wright-Phillips, Diakite (Hoilett 67), Granero (Park 45), Taarabt; Mackie.
Subs not used: Murphy, Ferdinand, Cisse, Fabio.

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