Half-time: QPR 1 Aston Villa 1

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Jamie Mackie netted an equaliser for QPR after they had made a nightmare start to Harry Redknapp’s first home match in charge.

But an injury to Stephane Mbia, who was stretchered off, overshadowed a lively first half at Loftus Road.

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 Brett Holman’s eighth-minute shot but was unable to keep it out.

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

Villa 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 unfortunate to see his thumping half-volley strike the near post after he had raced onto a similar ball forward from Mbia.

The unfortunate Mbia was having a good game in midfield when an accidental off-the-ball collision with Villa’s Gabby Agbonlahor left him flat on his back.

Mbia barely moved during several minutes of treatment before being carried away.

QPR (4-1-4-1): Green; Bosingwa, Nelsen, Hill, Traore; Mbia (Derry 38); Wright-Phillips, Diakite, Granero, Taarabt; Mackie.
Subs: Murphy, Ferdinand, Park, Cisse, Fabio, Hoilett.

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