ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP REVIEW

Aston Villa beat QPR in a crucial clash, Southampton defeated Liverpool, and Arsenal won at Swansea on Saturday.

Stoke and West Brom, meanwhile, recorded a scoreless draw, after Everton had overcome Man City in the day’s early kick-off.

Aston Villa’s 3-2 win over Queens Park Rangers ensured that Paul Lambert’s men moved six points clear of the Barclays Premier League’s drop zone.

Jermaine Jenas slid in to open the scoring for QPR, but Gabriel Agbonlahor headed the hosts level just before the break, moments after the away side had hit the post at the other end.

Andreas Weimann fired home from the edge of the box to move Villa in front, only for Andros Townsend's deflected strike to level the game once again.

However, Christian Benteke’s close-range finish nine minutes from time kept QPR at the foot of the table.
Southampton produced a fine performance to beat Liverpool 3-1 at St Mary’s, lifting the Saints to fifteenth and putting a major dent in the Merseysiders’ Champions League qualification hopes.

Morgan Schneiderlin fired in a neat opener from Jay Rodriguez’s set-up to give the home side a very early lead, before a deflected free-kick from Rickie Lambert made it 2-0.

Philippe Coutinho slotted in to give the visitors hope just before the break, but Rodriguez followed up his own strike, after Brad Jones had saved the attacker’s initial effort, to seal victory for Southampton.
Arsenal reclaimed fifth place thanks to a 2-0 victory away to Swansea City.

Nacho Monreal's first Premier League goal - the defender scored by shooting through a host of bodies in the Swansea box - and substitute's Gervinho expert finish secured the three points for the Gunners.
Finally, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion failed to produce a goal in a dour mid-table clash at the Britannia Stadium.

Romelu Lukaku headed the visitors’ best chance over the bar before substitute Kenwyne Jones was handed the opportunity to win the clash for Tony Pulis and his men late on, but struck a poor effort straight at Ben Foster.