Rs suffered defeat at Nottingham Forest on last outing in league

Queens Park Rangers forward Matt Smith says the team are itching to return to winning ways when they host Aston Villa in the Championship on Saturday.

On their last outing in the league at Nottingham Forest before the international break, QPR suffered a disappointing 4-0 defeat at the City Ground.

Prior to that loss, the Loftus Road club had beaten high-flying Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United at home in the space of four days.

After those impressive wins, Smith admits the loss at Forest was frustrating, but says the team are desperate to right those wrongs against Villa this weekend.

“The Forest game was very disappointing and I don’t think any of us expected that after two terrific wins against the top two sides in the division,” the 28-year-old told the club website.

“That’s the nature of the Championship, it’s very unpredictable. What we have to do is dust ourselves down and assess where we went wrong, but not lose sight of where we have been in the last couple of weeks.

“We must make sure we also don’t lose the confidence that was bred from beating the top two teams.”

Smith is QPR’s joint-top scorer this season having netted four goals, sharing the honour with both Idrissa Sylla and Conor Washington.

Despiteh is strike rate, the former Fulham forward has only made three starts in all competitions for the west Londoners this term.

Smith is nonetheless happy with his goals given the number of minutes he has played, but the Rs attacker wants to be in from the off in future.

“I am pleased with the goal return in the minutes I have been given, but I would like to start games more regularly, as I’m sure all the strikers do,” he added.

“It’s up to me to show what I’m capable of when I am given my opportunity and try to keep my place in the side.”