Alex McLeish almost got it right at Loftus Road today. After watching his side get over-run in the first half he sent Villa out in the second with a new direction. Meet QPR's speed, pass quicker, use combinations and match their physicality.
When Villa took the lead, he wasn't afraid to bring on youngsters Albrighton and Weimann. It was aggressive.
But, late in the game Villa went defensive. When Villa won corners, Villa just tried to take time off the clock instead of try to win the game with a second goal.
Instead of giving QPR something to think about with Dunne and Collins, Villa had nobody in the box and QPR were allowed to keep 7 players forward.
So, another manager gets to see the Villa bad habit. Late goals. This has gone on too long. Since the time when Kachoul and Balaban were making their debuts against Manu Utd, through the O'Leary years, got worse through MON's reign and again last season. Remember Fulham?
After looking good in the first couple of minutes, Villa found themselves on the back foot as QPR grabbed the initiative. Tarbt had a shot that struck the outside of the post. Collins and Dunne had a lot of desperate clearances.
Villa needed to hold the ball, but it seemed everytime the completed 3 passes the ball would be launched for Gabby or N'Zogbia and the home side would just regain possession.
The Villans had a chance to take the lead, but Paddy Kenny superbly swatted Bannan's curling free kick.
It was a much better start to the second half. Lively football and the game became stretched.
Villa got the lead when a cross came in and Agbonlahor was about to put Villa ahead, when Ferdinand pulled him back. It really should have been a red card and a penalty, but Mr Oliver was not heartless. Barry BANNAN converted the penalty flawlessly.
Rangers came at Villa and had two huge shouts for penalties. the commentators thought the first time the ball hit Hutton's arm it should have been given, but the second, the right back had his arms in poor positions.
Given made a great save from Smith as the Londoners pushed.
McLeish took off Bannan for Albrighton to help the defence a little and the introduced weimann for the disappointing N'Zogbia.
The card happy ref dished about 7 yellows and finally a red to a QPR player late on, but the home team still got to celebrate when Warnock turned a cross against poor Richard Dunne and watched in horror as the ball crossed the line in the 94th minute.
A draw was about fair.