Match Preview :

History seems to be on the side of Aston Villa coming into this match as in nine previous top-flight meetings between Villa and QPR there has never been an away win. McLeish's men have struggled on home soil recently and will be looking to pick up their first success in six attempts starting with this match. Villa comes into this match in good form as they have lost just once in their last five games.

A win for Villa could be enough to lift them back into the top half of the Premier League table, depending on results elsewhere and that is what Alex McLeish is setting his sights on for.

Meanwhile, QPR will be looking to edge further clear of the relegation zone in midweek, with a number of fresh faces drafted in to help them avoid relegation. It will take time for the new additions to settle in their new surroundings, but Mark Hughes will hope to avoid a defeat here. QPR knows they have to make changes as they have taken just one point from their last five away games. They have only conceded six times during that run, but a lack of sting upfront has seen them scored just two times at the opposite end of the field. Hughes will be hoping his side can secure back to back wins for the first time this season after beating Wigan last time out which also saw QPR end a nine-match winless run.

Team News :

Aston Villa Team News :
Charles N'Zogbia may return to the Aston Villa side for tonight's clash. The winger has been out with a heel injury but could be involved at some stage in this match. However, James Collins (calf) and Marc Albrighton (thigh) will both miss the fixture while Chris Herd is a long-term absentee with an ankle ligament problem.


Queen Park Rangers Team News :
New signing Djibril Cisse could make his QPR debut in this clash. The 30-year-old completed his move to Loftus Road from Lazio on Tuesday and is eligible to feature at Villa Park, subject to international clearance which hopefully can arrived one hour prior to kickoff. Meanwhile, fellow strikers Jay Bothroyd (groin) and DJ Campbell (hamstring) are out, while Heidar Helguson (groin) is a major doubt. Akos Buzsaky (ankle) and Danny Gabbidon (hip) are also doubts, while Armand Traore, Samba Diakite and Adel Taarabt are on international duty in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Taye Taiwo and Nedum Onuoha could make their QPR debuts but Bobby Zamora could have to wait as his deadline day move from Fulham was not completed in time.

Possible lineups

Aston Villa : Given, Hutton, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock, Ireland, Petrov, Bannan, N'Zogbia, Kean, Bent.
QPR : Kenny, Young, Onuoha, Gabbidon, Taiwo, Wright-Phillips, Barton, Derry, Mackie, Macheda, Cisse.

Predictions

Go for Aston Villa to win and maintain their good history of not having an away win for QPR here.

The Pick :

Aston Villa 2-1 QPR

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Go for a Villa win.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Aston Villa to register a win and clear the 1/2 ball AH keeping their good record against QPR here intact.