Benteke scores hat-trick for Aston Villa
Third goal comes from stunning free-kick
Austin had put QPR in front late on
QPR seem to be playing very narrow and as a result Aston Villa are having plenty of joy out wide. This time, Leandro Bacuna has acres of space to scamper away down the right, cut inside but then launches his effort well over.
An early goal in the London derby between Charlton and Fulham and it's the Cottagers, still in need of points to secure their safety, who lead 1-0 thanks to top scorer Ross McCormack who now has 14 for the season.
And some cheer for relegated Blackpool, who lead Reading thanks to a Jamie O'Hara penalty.
Aston Villa's only three previous league wins at Villa Park were 2-1 victories and that is still very much on the cards as they come forward again. Christian Benteke charges at the QPR defence before crossing low into the area from the left, the ball bounces over the outstretched leg of Joey Barton and runs through to Jack Grealish but his shot is straight at Rob Green.
Great game so far.
MK Dons have made a flying start against Scunthorpe in League One with two goals in the first five minutes to lead 2-0.
Will Grigg has got them both, including one from the penalty spot, to go to 19 goals for the season as the Dons continue their promotion charge.
Teenage winger Jack Grealish is making his first league start for Aston Villa, and games don't get much bigger than this one for a full debut.
He is not shirking his responsibilities though as Villa win a free-kick outside the area and Grealish takes it, curling towards the bottom corner but Rob Green makes the save.
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Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Nottingham Forest manager Stuart Pearce: "This game has come alight! But all QPR needed to do was sit behind and defend after getting their noses in front. Obviously if you're only going to defend with six and leave four up then you're going to have a problem."
Image source, Getty ImagesTim Sherwood bigged this up as a massive game and that is clearly how the players feel about it too! Almost immediately Aston Villa hit back as Christan Benteke gets the ball on the left, works his way into the area before curling home.
The camera flashes to Sherwood, tearing off his gilet. Anger at the opener, or delight at the equaliser? You never know with Tim.
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Former Nottingham Forest manager Stuart Pearce: "It was great composure from Bobby Zamora. He settled on the ball and the Villa defence panicked. It was a wonderful cross, he just feathered in the ball and said to Matty Phillips 'get on the end of this'. That is the first time they have been out of their half in the first seven minutes."
Image source, ReutersA sucker punch for Aston Villa! The first time QPR venture outside of their half it results in the opener. Charlie Austin launches the ball into the area from the right, the ball is knocked down and eventually picked up by Bobby Zamora, whose clever cross picks out Matt Phillips, who heads in.
This is a good, positive start by Aston Villa. They are quick to close down QPR when in possession and it is unsettling the visitors. As a result, the hosts are the team doing all the attacking at the moment. A lovely move ends with Fabian Delph slicing open the QPR defence and putting Christian Benteke clear on goal, but the striker is offside.
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Former Nottingham Forest and England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce: "It looks at the moment that Aston Villa are playing a midfield diamond, with Jack Grealish in behind the front two of Christian Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor. If he finds space in there, he will be a threat."
A boost for Aston Villa is the return to form of Christian Benteke. He has five goals in his last six matches and he is the first to threaten in the early exchanges as he connects to a Fabian Delph free-kick, but slices wide.
Image source, Getty ImagesA big bear hug from Tim Sherwood on Chris Ramsey as the two friends greet each other before taking their places in their respective dugouts.
The players get into their positions, the referee blows his whistle and QPR get us under way.
Aston Villa captain Fabian Delph and QPR skipper Joey Barton lead their respective teams out on to the pitch, both looking focused on the task ahead.
Massive night for these two sets of players.
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Former Nottingham Forest boss Stuart Pearce: "Without a doubt, QPR's win at West Brom took a few of us by surprise - I had that down as a West Brom win. It will give QPR a big lift.
"Has that changed the dynamic of this game? A few people all of a sudden think they will double that away win and get another result tonight. I'm not one of them I'm afraid."
Aston Villa: Guzan, Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, Richardson, Cleverley, Sanchez, Delph, Agbonlahor, Benteke, Grealish. Subs: Baker, Okore, Weimann, Cole, N'Zogbia, Given, Lowton.
QPR: Green, Isla, Onuoha, Caulker, Hill, Phillips, Barton, Sandro, Kranjcar, Austin, Zamora. Subs: Traore, McCarthy, Henry, Hoilett, Doughty, Grego-Cox, Mitchell.
Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)
It is a lovely Midlands evening but there are quite a few empty seats at Villa Park, the lack of much to cheer about, or an expensive Easter bank holiday weekend, perhaps playing its part.
Time for a reminder of the line-ups.
Image source, PAPress Association reporter Liam Blackburn is at Bloomfield Road where supporters are protesting against chairman Karl Oyston's running of the club following Blackpool's relegation from the Championship.
The Seasiders are at home to Reading tonight.
Image source, Getty ImagesBreaking away from this game briefly and Wigan Athletic have acted quickly in appointing a new manager, placing former captain Gary Caldwell in charge.
He replaces Malky Mackay, who was dismissed on Monday after a 2-0 home defeat by Derby, a result that left the Latics 23rd in the Championship and eight points from safety.
Ex-Scotland international Caldwell, 32, played 111 games for Wigan and was part of their 2013 FA Cup-winning squad. He retired earlier this season because of a persistent hip injury.