Charlie Austin's goal just after the quarter-hour mark has given Queens Park Rangers a 1-0 half-time lead against Aston Villa in this evening's Premier League clash at Loftus Road.

The hosts had the better of things in the opening stages as Ashley Westwood lashed a volley towards the R's goal from the edge of the box, but Robert Green was able to save with ease.

However, the hosts took just 17 minutes to break the deadlock, Bobby Zamora chesting a ball into the path of Austin which allowed the 25-year-old to drill a half-volley past Brad Guzan into the Villa net.

Paul Lambert's charges, aggrieved at conceding against the run of play, countered moments later with Westwood playing a deep ball towards Christian Benteke, but the Belgian's header skimmed just wide.

At the other end, Yun Suk-young threatened when he cut inside and fired a low shot towards Guzan, prompting the American stopper into a fingertip save.

In the 35th minute, Karl Henry and Mauricio Isla combined to set up Sandro, whose curling effort floated just over the bar.