Aston Villa should be too strong for QPR

Sky Bet Championship
Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 7.45pm Friday

It is going to take time for Dean Smith to turn Aston Villa into a major force in the Sky Bet Championship but the Villans are already strong enough to beat QPR at Loftus Road.

Villa fans rejoiced at the appointment of Smith – a lifelong Villans' supporter with a reputation for delivering exciting, winning football during his two-and-half seasons at Brentford.

But Smith will need time as he sets about delivering the style of play which won him so many admirers.

It is up to Villa's players to impress their new manager and striker Scott Hogan may have a head start, having flourished under Smith at Brentford.

Hogan netted 21 league goals in 33 matches for the Bees before making a £12m move to Villa in January 2017, but he has struggled in his new colours.

The 26-year-old has notched seven goals in 51 league games for Villa but clearly has the support of Smith, who brought him off the bench during Tuesday's 2-1 loss at Norwich.

Hogan competes with Tammy Abraham and Jonathan Kodjia for the central striker position and Smith has options out wide with Albert Adomah, Anwar El Ghazi, Yannick Bolasie and Ahmed Al Mohamady battling for places.

There is plenty of attacking talent in the squad but Smith has less room for manoeuvre at the back.

Manchester United loanee Axel Tuanzebe and James Chester are the only two senior centre-backs on the books and Villa's defensive problems have been behind their inconsistent performances.

Of the top 18 teams in the Championship, Villa have the second-worst defensive record with 22 goals conceded and they will need to be alert to the threats posed by a confident QPR side targeting a third successive victory.

Steve McClaren had a miserable start in the Hoops' hotseat and was being touted for the sack after losing the first four league games but he has presided over a remarkable turnaround with fears of relegation being replaced by talk of a playoff push.

Loan moves for Stoke midfielder Geoff Cameron, Brighton forward Tomer Hemed and Burnley striker Nahki Wells gave the club a lift but McClaren must also be credited for getting the best out of talented attacker Ebere Eze and winger Luke Freeman.

However, there are a few clouds on the horizon.

QPR's squad still looks small and inexperienced and any injuries and suspensions could pose a problem for a club under a transfer embargo in January.

All of QPR's six wins have come against teams placed 12th or lower and they will look at the match against Villa (16th) as another big opportunity.

However, Villa would expect to finish the season in a much higher position and, given their scope for improvement, they are reasonable value to win what could be a tight encounter.

Recommendation
Aston Villa draw no bet
1pt 20-21 BoyleSports

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
QPR
Darnell Furlong (knee) is short of match fitness but Jake Bidwell overcame a shoulder injury to feature in the 3-0 success over Sheffield Wednesday.

Aston Villa
John McGinn returns after a one-match ban but Albert Adomah (knee) and Tammy Abraham (head) are doubts after picking up injuries at Norwich.

Key stat
Aston Villa have scored in all of their 14 league matches this season.

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