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Aston Villa Roll Forward, Defeat Queens Park Rangers

By Josh Tonti

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: Jonathan Kodjia of Aston Villa scores for Aston Villa during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers at Villa Park on April 04, 2017 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: Jonathan Kodjia of Aston Villa scores for Aston Villa during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers at Villa Park on April 04, 2017 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images) /
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Aston Villa recorded their 7th clean sheet in 8 league matches with a narrow 1-0 defeat of Queens Park Rangers. Jonathan Kodjia’s 18th goal on the season was the difference maker.

This is fun, isn’t it?

In an unprecedented run of form, Aston Villa have gone from relegation-threatened side to just nine points of a promotion playoff spot. With just six league matches remaining, could Villa pull off the impossible and slip by Sheffield Wednesday?

Possibly, and defeating QPR just made it ever so slightly more probable. The claret and blues started hot when Leandro Bacuna played-in Jonathan Kodjia for the match’s only goal. For the remaining 84 minutes, Villa defended tirelessly by blocking multiple shots on Sam Johnstone’s goal.

A win, no matter how scrappy, is still three points in the table.

ASTON VILLA PLAYER GRADES:

. GK. Aston Villa. SAM JOHNSTONE. 6.5

Only had to make a singular save on goal, thanks to Villa’s heroic defensive efforts. Nonetheless, Johnstone is showing signs of improvement by commanding his box with authority.

. RB. Aston Villa. ALAN HUTTON. 6.0

Alan Hutton is taking sips from the fountain of youth. There can be no other explanation. Another solid outing from Hutton, who blocked a number of shots and crosses.

. RCB. Aston Villa. JAMES CHESTER. 6.5

Organized and calm, another impressive outing from the Villa captain.

7.5. . LCB. Aston Villa. NATHAN BAKER

Our ClaretVillans.com Man of the Match. What a monstrous performance from Nathan Baker, who is truly enjoying a breakthrough campaign.

6.0. . LB. Aston Villa. NEIL TAYLOR

No real positive or negative showings from Neil Taylor.

5.5. . CDM. Aston Villa. MILE JEDINAK

One can wonder whether the short turnaround affected Jedinak. QPR ran rampant throughout midfield in a return of the 4-3-3.

CM. Aston Villa. HENRI LANSBURY. 6.0.

Lansbury’s player data is screwed up, so I cannot really tell you how well he played. A six seems moderately appropriate, given the 1-0 scoreline.

5.5. . CM. Aston Villa. LEANDRO BACUNA

Leandro Bacuna, freshly returned from suspension, played Kodjia in for the slick finish. Otherwise, he struggled turning the ball over in midfield.

5.5. . RW. Aston Villa. ALBERT ADOMAH

Adomah brilliantly struck woodwork inside of five minutes. Afterwards, he was not so effective. Albert made way for Scott Hogan mid-way through the second half.

7.0. . ST. Aston Villa. JONATHAN KODJIA

Jonathan Kodjia tallied his 18th league goal on the season. 18! Villa’s next highest scorer currently plays for Middlesbrough (Rudy Gestede with 4 goals). Albert Adomah and Jack Grealish have three a piece.

5.5. . LW. Aston Villa. JORDAN AMAVI

Jordan Amavi peacefully coexisted with Neil Taylor on the left flank. The Frenchman made way for André Green before extra time.

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