Cisse denied winning debut as Villa hit back

Charles N’Zogbia scored his first goal for Aston Villa and spoilt the debut of QPR striker Djibril Cisse as Alex McLeish’s side rallied from 2-0 down to salvage a point at Villa Park.

Cisse needed only 12 minutes to make an impact for his new club after his deadline day move from Lazio.

There was an element of luck about the build-up with Shaun Wright-Phillips scuffing his shot into the path of Cisse. But the finish was clinical as he drilled a low shot across Shay Given into the far corner of the net before celebrating with a trademark somersault.

QPR doubled their lead on 29 minutes. There appeared little danger when Taye Taiwo delivered a deep cross but Stephen Warnock inexplicably headed the ball back across Shay Given into the far corner of the net.

Darren Bent reduced the arrears with his 100th Premier League goal in first-half injury time, converting a cross from Alan Hutton.

Villa upped the pace in the second period and Paddy Kenny was at his best to deny compatriot Robbie Keane.

N’Zogbia then brought Villa level with his first goal since his £9million summer move from Wigan after 79 minutes.

Stiliyan Petrov supplied the left-wing cross and N’Zogbia volleyed his left-footed drive past Kenny.

Villa pressed for the winner but Bent, Keane and N’Zogbia were all denied as QPR hung on.

ASTON VILLA: Given, Hutton, Warnock, Dunne, Clark (Bannan 70), Cuellar, Ireland, N’Zogbia, Petrov, Bent, Keane.

QPR: Kenny, Young, Taiwo, Ferdinand, Onuoha, Derry (Ephraim 73), Barton, Wright-Phillips, Mackie, Hulse (Smith 54), Cisse (Macheda 81).

Ref: Neil Swarbrick (Lancs).