Villa too good

Reading’s attempts to escape the Premier League’s relegation zone were dealt a severe blow as Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa side left Madejski Stadium with all three points following a 2-1 victory. Villa, who have the smell of European qualification firmly in their nostrils played a controlled game soaking up Reading’s pressure and playing on the break football. A wild penalty miss by England player Gareth Barry early in the game did not push the visitors off course either. Ashley Young gave Aston Villa the lead shortly before half time and in the 84th minute substitute Marlon Harewood ran through to slot past Marcus Hahnemann and seal the points for Villa.

Reading did produce plenty of effort and plenty of hard work, but Nicky Shorey’s injury time 25 yard free kick goal could be labelled only as a mere consolation. In truth it was a deserved goal for Shorey who had a rasping shot parried by Villa goalkeeper Scott Carson, earlier on in the match. Dave Kitson also had a chance to help a Nicky Shorey free kick past Carson. Kitson provided only a feint touch to the ball when a more clinical connection would have got the ball into the net.

Despite Reading’s chances, Aston Villa thoroughly deserved the win. John Carew and Garbiel Agbonlahor really looked an excellent partnership. Indeed the running and understanding between these two players was at times a sight to behold. A recent article by one of the football magazines has questioned whether the strike partnership is dead, in the case of Carew and Agbonlahor, that is not the case. Neither got on the score sheet, but as a front pairing they looked the best that has visited the Madejski Stadium this season.

As Reading once again drew a blank in terms of points, it is worth remembering that Reading’s recent run of games has included teams that are involved in the chase for European football. Bolton Wanderers, Reading’s last home opponents are not that far up the table to challenge for a European place, but they are still in this season’s UEFA Cup. With that good run in their heads it has helped Bolton’s quest to pull away from the drop zone. All Reading's other recent opponents; Everton; Chelsea; Manchester United and Portsmouth are all eyeing European football next season. However in Reading’s remaining eleven games include six against teams that are in a similar position to Reading in the table. Wigan Athletic; Fulham; Derby County; Birmingham City and Middlesbrough are all future oppenents for Reading.

As the gap between Reading and the teams immediately above the drop zone, is not insurmountable the situation in real terms is certainly not disastrous yet. Steve Coppell made a valid point in the post match press conference about there being a sense in the Reading squad that there is still more to come. That must be seen as true. With the clustered population at the foot of the Premier League table, things can change very quickly. Perhaps luck will come into it. A lucky break on Teeside when Reading travel to Middlesbrough next week would be a good start! Indeed why should we not believe that that will be the case?

By Stuart Croucher.