Aston Villa were held to a 2-2 Championship draw by Queens Park Rangers on New Year’s Day despite Tammy Abraham’s latest brace.
A difficult festive period appears to have stunted Aston Villa’s promotion hopes.
After a brilliant start to life under Dean Smith which included goal-laden victories against Birmingham, Derby and Middlesbrough, Villa have now won just one of their last six games and were held to a 2-2 home draw by Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday.
A double from Tammy Abraham secured a point for the hosts and while the supporters will be disappointed with a home draw, comments from QPR boss Steve McClaren after the game should leave fans with a little more pride about Aston Villa’s performance.
“Full credit to Dean Smith and what he has done here,” McClaren said in quotes reported by the Birmingham Mail.
“After we won 1-0 at Loftus Road (in October), I said to (Smith) they have got to be in the play-offs and that it will get better. I think they will get stronger and stronger.”
Aston Villa started with Albert Adomah and Jonathan Kodjia either side of the in-form Abraham, who took his tally to 16 goals in 20 starts against QPR on New Year’s Day.
Just to highlight the quality in depth at Dean Smith’s disposal, the former Brentford boss was also able to bring Yannick Bolasie and Anwar El Ghazi off the bench in the second half.
And McClaren has lauded the attacking talents available to Aston Villa, believing that the Midland giants should have the thrust to force their way into the top six of the Championship between now and May.
“Tammy Abraham is a goalscorer and the front three at Villa and the firepower they have should fire them into the play-offs,” McClaren added.
“It’s not just the three that started – the two that came on are dangerous, too. They’re always going to score goals.”
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