LONDON, Nov 28: Harry Redknapp’s first match in charge of Queens Park Rangers ended in a dour 0-0 draw at Sunderland, underlining the size of the task facing the former Tottenham manager at the Premier League’s basement club.

QPR remain without a victory after 14 games with five points but are now four adrift at the foot of the standings after second-bottom Reading lost 1-0 at Aston Villa in another match between two of the division’s strugglers.

Belgium striker Christian Benteke headed in Villa’s winner in the 80th minute, earning his team their third win of the campaign under new manager Paul Lambert.

Villa climbed out of the bottom three and are now level on 13 points with Sunderland.

QPR came closest to scoring in the first-half when Jamie Mackie was denied in a one-on-one situation with Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and Adel Taarabt’s follow-up shot was blocked.

Rob Green replaced the injured Julio Cesar in the Rangers goal at the start of the second-half and he made a brilliant save to keep out Steven Fletcher’s header.

Results: Aston Villa 1    Reading 0 Sunderland 0    Queens Park Rangers 0 —Agencies