QPR 0 Aston Villa 1: Jonathan Kodjia’s second-half strike proved to be the difference as Ian Holloway’s men now lose five on the spin
Steve Bruce's side close the gap on the top six with vital three points at Loftus Road as they get back to winning ways after losing against Norwich last time out
JONATHAN KODJIA redeemed himself after he saw his first-half penalty saved by netting the winner at Loftus Road.
The striker struck in the final 15 minutes of the game to condemn QPR to a fifth straight loss in the league, and lifted his side to six points away from the play-offs.
After an uninspiring half an hour, the game burst into life when Jonathan Kodjia was fouled by Pawel Wszolek in the box, and the ex-Bristol City striker stepped up himself to take the spot-kick.
However, just like against Fulham earlier on in the season, Alex Smithies guessed right and saved brilliantly low down in the bottom right-hand corner, with Ross McCormack firing wide from the rebound.
Despite the noise levels rising around Loftus Road, it was the Villans who continued to press, and nearly took the lead when Gary Gardner and Kodjia both missed the ball by a matter of inches after a sensational whipped in cross from Jordan Amavi.
Kodjia again almost provided the breakthrough again, the Ivorian hitting a low shot from 20 yards that Smithies tipped round the post in the 57th minute.
Then just two minutes later in an almost identical effort, Leandro Bacuna rifled an attempt in the same corner but the QPR shot-stopper again proved equal to the effort.
Ian Holloway's side were failing to test the Villa back four, and again it was the away side who almost went in-front, Gardner's curling shot from outside the box blazed over.
In the 75th minute Steve Bruce's men finally took the lead through the best player on the pitch, Jonathan Kodjia jinxing his way into the box, before fiercely firing the ball underneath the body of Smithies from a tight angle.
Substitute Jamie Mackie making his first appearance for the London side this season almost grabbed a dramatic equaliser in the 87th minute, as he turned away from his marker but scuffed his attempt wide.
The Hoops never brought a save out of Mark Bunn in the Villa goal, and almost found themselves 2-0 behind when Rudy Gestede failed to make the most out of his one-on-one deep into injury time.
QPR are now in 19th spot, just five points above the relegation zone while Aston Villa sit in 13th.