Hat-trick hero Christian Benteke: Aston Villa deserved to beat QPR

CHISTIAN BENTEKE'S superb hat-trick rescued a potentially vital 3-3 draw for Aston Villa, but the Belgian believes his side deserved all three points against QPR.

Christian BentekeGETTY

Christian Benteke believes Aston Villa deserved to beat QPR tonight

Benteke's free kick with seven minutes to play completed a precious treble and secured a draw that moved hosts Villa up to 16th.

Tim Sherwood's men remain three points above the relegation zone while 18th-placed QPR's plight remains perilous.

QPR had taken the lead through Matt Phillips, before Benteke turned the match on its head with his first two goals in the opening 45 minutes.

I think we deserved three points, we were better than them

Christian Benteke

Veteran Clint Hill levelled shortly after the break with a header and Charlie Austin snatched his 17th goal of the season to restore QPR's lead.

Benteke, however, stepped up to loft his set-piece over the wall and beyond the dive of Rob Green for his seventh goal in his last five league games to round off a pulsating encounter.

"It is always nice to get a hat-trick but it is shame we didn't get the three points," the 24-year-old Benteke said. "I think we deserved three points, we were better than them."

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