-
-

Reading's nightmarish away form continued as Aston Villa battled to a third successive Premier League win. Villa dominated set-pieces with the Reading defence unable to cope with the accuracy of Ashley Young's crosses... Reading created more chances throughout the 90 minutes but were denied by both the profligacy of their strike-force and the reactions of Villa keeper Scott Carson... James Harper's late strike - slotting home under the advancing Carson - did little to lift the dark mood of Royals manager Steve Coppell.
BBC Sport

Steve Coppell’s point that his side lacked the physical element required to negate Villa’s collective strength was impossible to deny. He tried to suppress Agbonlahor by placing Ulises de la Cruz as a man-marker but the young striker had too much to be subdued, while the movement and passing of the players around him stretched Reading... For the first 20 minutes Villa struggled to hit top gear and Reading’s fluid formation allowed for Stephen Hunt to support Kevin Doyle and Dave Kitson in attack. But Villa were able to penetrate the defence more frequently and to greater effect... A goal in stoppage time by Harper, from Shane Long’s pass, was scant consolation for Reading. “Their first goal was offside, and their second, a terrific corner, should not have been a corner in the first place,” bemoaned Coppell. “When you’re giving away three or four inches in height at every set-piece, it’s not easy.” And not when Villa are in such rampant form.
Brian Doogan, The Times