BIRMINGHAM: Christian Benteke’s superb hat-trick rescued a potentially priceless Premier League point for Aston Villa, who twice came back from a goal down to draw 3-3 on Tuesday with relegation rivals Queens Park Rangers.

Benteke’s free kick in the 83rd minute of a thrilling encounter at Villa Park completed a precious treble and secured a draw that moved hosts Villa up to 16th, three points above the relegation zone while 18th-placed QPR’s plight remains perilous as they are now two points from safety having played a game more than fourth-bottom Hull City.

“It is always nice to get a hat-trick but it is shame we didn’t get the three points. I think we deserved three points, we were better than them,” Benteke told the BBC.

“The situation we know is hard now, every game is going to be crucial for us. “We need to keep fighting until the end.”

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2015

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