Ian Holloway is under no illusions as to the challenge his QPR side face as they welcome Aston Villa to Loftus Road.

QPR toppled the Championship’s top two teams prior to the international break, securing victories over Wolves and Sheffield United to push the Hoops up to 15th in the table.

But their most recent league match resulted in a 4-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground earlier this month.

The home side’s previous meeting with the Villans in April ended in a disappointing 1-0 loss as Villa's Jonathan Kodjia finished off a slick move to score the only goal of the game.

QPR have ruled out Nedum Onuoha, James Perch and Grant Hall due to injury while a late decision will be made on midfielder Massimo Luongo who has just returned from international duty.

Only three other teams have picked up more points than QPR at home and Holloway will look to capitalise on Villa captain John Terry’s absence.

He said: “I expect them to be very similar to Nottingham Forest so this week we have had to go over the issues we had at the City Ground.

“Villa have got a very, very good manager on their hands as well as a very good squad. They should be up there fighting for promotion this time.

“Steve has made them a lot more solid, with solid characters – Glen Whelan being one of them, Robert Snodgrass, Conor Hourihane.

“He has made some really good signings and they are a force to be reckoned with.”

Villa have scored 22 goals so far this season - nine of those in away fixtures - and they will look to Albert Adomah and Hourihane who have both scored five apiece already this term.

There is no doubt Villa have promotion in their sights and manager Steve Bruce will look at this weekend as an opportunity to cement his team’s place in the playoffs.

He said: “QPR are a good side and have beaten the top two sides.

“They will be up and at us and will have plenty of heart and desire. It’s always a tough game.”