QPR v Aston Villa | Rob Bagchi

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Afternoon Mac Millings: "My memories of Loftus Rd aren't as pleasurable as yours, I'm afraid. I went several times in the 80s, and the home fans could how a nasty streak, which included hurling coins at linesmen who gave decisions against their Super Hoops. I'm sure they weren't the only ones, but still, the sight of a chunky, eighties 50p arcing towards an official's unsuspecting head is one that stays with me. There's a lot about Modern Football to dislike, but if that kind of thing has been eradicated, then there is an upside to sanitisation." There is indeed, Mac. One thing I forgot to mention was the last game of last season at Loftus Road, in the row in front of me was Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols. Six rows in front of him sat Mick Jones of the Clash. For all Lydon's love of Arsenal, QPR are truly the punk royalty club.

Absent friends: Danny Gabbidon is missing for QPR and Darren Bent for Villa. Even a buffoon would suggest the latter is the biggest loss with Bannan and N'Zogbia lacking a target for their crosses. An interesting sideshow may be the battle between the ex Manchester City trainees Stephen Ireland for Villa and SWP and Joey Barton for QPR. I haven't seen enough of Ireland this season to tell me whether he's overcome his awful first season at Villa Park under Grard Houllier. I've seen enough of Stephen Warnock to suggest he's recovered from his similar fate in internal exile under the Frenchman and Gary McAllister.

Here are your teams:
QPR: Kenny; Young, Ferdinand, Hall, Traor; Wright-Phillips, Barton, Derry, Faurln; Taarabt, Bothroyd.
Substitutes: Murphy, Orr, Campbell, Buzsaky, Connolly, Smith, Helguson.
Aston Villa: Given; Hutton, Dunne, Collins, Warnock; Bannan, Petrov, Ireland, De! lph, N'Z ogbia; Agbonlahor.
Substitutes: Guzan, Albrighton, Delfouneso, Beye, Weimann, Lowry, Gardner.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)

Afternoon all: I used to love going to Loftus Road. Still do, on the rare occasions I get down there but for a year back in the early 90s I shared a flat on Bloemfontein Road and would go along for evening games if my team wasn't playing. I've not been back so often recently but was there last season, drinking Landlord in the Princess Louise and troughing down the enormous portions at the Greek restaurant on Uxbridge Road. This should be an interesting game, QPR 2011-12 v2.0 following the frantic transfer activity after Tony Fernandes's takeover taking on a very solid-looking Villa. Both have seven points, Villa are unbeaten in the league and Rangers have yet to score a home league goal, though came close against Newcastle.

The last top-flight meeting of the two was two days before Christmas 1995, Rangers winning 1-0 through Kevin Gallen's goal. All the names from the team-sheet are immediately familiar to someone as ancient as me. Here they are: QPR: Sommer; Bardsley, McDonald, Yates, Brevett; Impey, Wilkins, Barker, Sinclair; Hateley, Gallen. Villa: Bosnich, Charles, Ehiogu, Southgate, McGrath, Wright; Townsend, Draper, Taylor; Milosevic, Johnson. Rangers went down that season and Villa won the League Cup.

Meanwhile, to get you in the mood. Here's some Joey Barton love from another site. I'll be back with the teams asap.


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