Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers shared the spoils in a six-goal thriller this evening as they both took a point from their huge relegation clash.

The visitors broke the deadlock through Matty Phillips after just seven minutes, but Christian Benteke restored parity less than three minutes later before sending his side into half time ahead with a second shortly past the half-hour mark.

Clint Hill glanced home his first ever Premier League goal to level things up again 10 minutes into the second half, before Charlie Austin notched his 17th of the season with a sharp finish 12 minutes from time.

This time the lead lasted five minutes before Benteke completed his hat-trick with a curling free kick that went in off the post.

Here, Sports Mole looks back on an enthralling encounter at Villa Park.

Match statistics

ASTON VILLA
Shots: 21
On target: 7
Possession: 64%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 8

QPR
Shots: 11
On target: 5
Possession: 36%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 12

Was the result fair?

This was such an entertaining spectacle that it would have been harsh on either side to have come away with nothing. It was an intriguing prospect even before kickoff, with the league's worst attack and home record coming up against the league's worst defence and away record, and that resulted in goals and action aplenty. It was one of the best games of the season so far, and both teams deserve credit for the way they approached it.

Villa may feel that they did enough in the first half to win the game and, if anyone deserved all three points, it was the hosts. They were rightly ahead at the interval and could have even been out of sight had Benteke, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Jack Grealish converted chances. It was a different story in the second half, however, with QPR switching shape and tightening things up a little at the back to prevent Villa from dominating.

The second period was an even affair as both sides went toe to toe with each other so, considering how much they were on top in the first half, there is an argument to be made that Villa deserved the win over the full 90 minutes. However, QPR showed great character to stay in the game and contributed to the spectacle just as much as the hosts. Both sides played without fear and were intent on winning the game, rather than being worried about the implications of defeat. All in all, a draw is a fair and satisfying result, even if it doesn't do much for either side.

Aston Villa's performance

It is hard to believe that this is the same Villa side that had scored just 20 league goals all season before this game, only 11 of which had come at home. Their first-half display was not that of a team battling against relegation and, if they can produce a few more performances at that level, then they should be safe from the drop. They were helped by some unconvincing QPR defending at times, but Villa were playing with a swagger and confidence that belied their league position.

Benteke was central to that, causing the defence problems almost every time he got the ball and being rewarded with a hat-trick. Leandro Bacuna also enjoyed a fine first half and Villa were perhaps unfortunate to only be leading by one goal at the break. They started the second half brightly too, but QPR soon made it more difficult for them to play through and the hosts failed to regain the sort of dominance that they had enjoyed before the break.

There was a sense in the stadium that everyone knew exactly how big this game was. There was a great atmosphere amongst the fans, and the intensity was clear to see from the stands, through manager Tim Sherwood and out on the field. With a tough run-in including matches against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Everton, West Ham United and Southampton to come, Villa may be disappointed to have only picked up a point from this game, but if they play like this again then they could spring a few surprises in the remaining six games.

QPR's performance

Coming off the back of just their second away victory of the season, hopes would have been high for QPR to clinch back-to-back wins in the Midlands here. It all started so well when Phillips nodded home, but in truth that goal came against the run of play and they didn't create much else in the first half. They were comfortably second best in the opening 45 minutes and, but for some good goalkeeping from Rob Green and a couple of narrow misses, they could have been dead and buried by the break. Their defending for the two Villa goals was particularly poor, while they afforded Bacuna far too much room down the Villa right.

Chris Ramsey demonstrated his tactical acumen by switching things around in the early stages of the second half, however, and that helped the visitors to get a foothold in the game. They looked a lot tighter at the back having previously looked vulnerable every time Villa came forward. They also began to see more of the ball in the home side's territory and, while clear chances were still few and far between, they managed to get themselves back ahead by being clinical in front of goal.

It would have been something of a smash-and-grab win had they held on to the lead, but fortune favours the brave and QPR were certainly brave tonight. They contributed to the open nature of the game and, like Villa, didn't seem to be feeling the pressure of their current predicament. They also have a tough run-in, with the likes of Chelsea, West Ham, Liverpool and Man City still to come, but if they can play like they have done over the last two games then hopes will be high of launching an escape.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Christian Benteke: The two standout players on the pitch today were Phillips and Benteke, but the latter's hat-trick heroics earn him the nod for this award. He was a handful in the first half and QPR simply couldn't deal with him as he helped himself to two goals before the break. He did fade a little after the interval but still looked like Villa's most potent player, and his curling free kick to level things at 3-3 capped off a fine individual performance.

Biggest gaffe

Joey Barton's blushes were spared in the first half when Green thwarted Grealish after the QPR skipper had failed to cut out a low ball into the box, but the more costly error came from Mauricio Isla. The Chilean full-back should have shown Benteke down the touchline in the build-up to his first goal, but instead he allowed the Belgian to cut inside, beat him far too easily and fire home an equaliser. There was a touch of fortune about the finish as it took a deflection off Steven Caulker, but Benteke should not have been allowed into the shooting position in the first place.

Referee performance

There were one or two incidents for Craig Pawson to look at today, but on the whole the match was played in the right spirit. It was full of intensity and there can be little issue with the cards meted out, but it was a fairly comfortable evening for the official, whose biggest task was keeping up with the frenetic tempo of the game. He let it flow well, including one particularly good advantage that resulted in Benteke's second goal.

What next?

Aston Villa: Sherwood will make his return to White Hart Lane on Saturday as he takes his side to face Tottenham.

QPR: QPR, meanwhile, are in action on Sunday at home to league leaders Chelsea.