Victory delights O’Neill

Go on the Villains - Gizzler…

Young and Harewood were the heroes for Villa, while Shorey’s late free-kick proved to be nothing more than a consolation for the Royals.

On 32 minutes a scuffed shot from the edge of the box by Gardner struck the arm of Kalifa Cisse as he looked to close the effort down and referee Atkinson pointed to the spot.

Villa skipper Barry then took the responsibility of trying to put his side ahead, but only succeeded in slicing his penalty woefully wide of Marcus Hahnemann’s goal.

On the stroke of half-time Villa did take the lead though when Cisse misjudged a ball down the line and Gabriel Agbonlahor was able to square a pass to Ashley Young who made no mistake from 10-yards out.

With Villa then starting to dominate on the counter, Marlon Harewood made the points safe six minutes from time.

Young led the break away before presenting an opportunity to Harewood to curl a stunning effort into the top corner past a helpless Hahnemann.

Shorey pulled one back for Reading when his 25-yard free-kick was pushed into his own goal, via the post, by a disappointed Scott Carson.