Barton, Lineker & more: Twitter reacts as QPR & Aston Villa both win

QPR took another step towards Premier League survival by beating Sunderland 3-1 to record back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Aston Villa also boosted their hopes of staying up after coming from a goal down to win 2-1 at relegation rivals Reading.

Elsewhere, Swansea were beaten 2-1 at West Brom after having a late equaliser controversially ruled out for offside.

And Southampton held Norwich City to a goalless draw, after Grant Holt’s controversial late penalty was saved by Artur Boruc.

Here’s the best of the Twitter reaction from the professionals past and present after a hectic day of Premier League action.

Former Olympic sprinter Katharine Merry ‏(@KatharineMerry) is delighted to see Villa take the lead against Reading: “Sounds like good play from benteke…..#goalneeded #avfc … 2-1 boom! #avfc”

Ex-Sunderland defender Michael Gray (‏@mickygray33) is worried about his former side after their defeat at Loftus Road: “Well if we weren’t already in a relegation battle we are now…#premierleague #SAFC”

Joey Barton (‏@Joey7Barton) cheers his former QPR team-mates on: “QPR 2-1. The Great Escape (Loftus Rd edition Part 2) is on…”

Former England striker Gary Lineker ‏(@GaryLineker) reckons Redknapp could steer QPR to safety: “If Harry pulls this one out of the bag and keeps QPR up, he’ll be a contender for manager of the season. ”

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann ‏(@DietmarHamann) is impressed by the two victories from the relegation rivals: “Great wins for Villa and QPR …It looks like Harry Houdini might pull a great escape off again. ”

And Stoke City striker Michael Owen (‏@themichaelowen) chimes in: “Huge day for QPR and Villa. Getting interesting at the bottom.”

Former Norwich City striker Iwan Roberts ‏(@iwanwroberts) was not happy at seeing Swansea controversially denied a late equaliser against West Brom: “Some very poor officiating at the hawthorns!very good game of football though Swansea unlucky to lose.”

Swansea’s Wayne Routledge (‏@WayneRoutledge) is left fuming by the decision to chalk off the goal: “Can’t even write what I wanna say on here or I’m defiantly getting fined. Unbelievable! #WatchTheReplays”

Swans goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel ‏(@GerryTremmel) is “gutted” about the decisions: “Wow. 2 Major decisions. Both went against us for whatever reason. You can’t get a result if that happens. Very gutted.”

Aston Villa winger Andreas Weimann (‏@andiweimann) delights in his side’s win over Reading: “Massive 3 points today! Fans were brilliant again ! #utv”

Southampton’s Luke Shaw ‏(@Luke_shaw3) is adamant that Norwich should not have been awarded a spot-kick after he was penalised for bringing down Grant Holt: “Was never a pen, if it was I would be the first one to say it. But great save from Boruc and thanks to the fans for the support.”

And finally, defender Christopher Samba (‏@cs4christsamba1) is thrilled after QPR secure back-to-back wins: “Thanks to all, and mean all the support today. Great result, a well-needed 3 points, good team work…let’s have the same next week.”