Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood hails much-needed Christian Benteke

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood admitted a potentially priceless point against relegation rivals QPR has come as a disappointment - but he was grateful to hat-trick hero Christian Benteke.

The Belgian rescued a draw for the hosts with his fifth, sixth and seventh goals in five games, after Rangers twice went ahead in a thriller at Villa Park.

The result moved Villa above Hull into 16th, three points above the relegation zone with six games of the season remaining, and Sherwood stressed Benteke's importance in the run-in.

It might be a very important point. Only time will tell, but we need to win games.

"Christian was very good. The second goal especially was excellent," the Villa boss said.

"We need him between now and the end of the season, but it was disappointing to give away cheap, scruffy goals.

"It might be a very important point. Only time will tell, but we need to win games. I wouldn't like to guess how many points we're going to need. It is a point in the right direction though."

With Tottenham and Manchester City to come before an FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool or Blackburn at Wembley, Sherwood expects the spirit to remain high heading into such a crucial period for the club.

"I couldn't fault the performance," he said. "There was fatigue in the second half and we dropped off, but you expect that.

"That back-four trained for four days. They've been out for six weeks so it's a big ask. Unfortunately we've got an injury crisis at this club and we're having to patch players up.

"Because they had to drop deep it gave our midfield a lot to do, but they seemed to take every chance they had and that's the way it's going for us."