The teams meet on Tuesday night at the Madjeski Stadium
Reading manager Jaap Stam before the match
After being on a eight match unbeaten run in all competitions, Reading have claimed just two points from their last three league games. Despite being away from home, their clash on Saturday against QPR could be viewed as two points dropped as they dominated for long periods.
Speaking after the game, manager Jaap Stam rued the wasted chances, as quoted by the BBC. “I think we should have won it. We should have scored a second goal with the chances we created and that’s the thing we didn’t do well,” he said.
They return to the Madjeski Stadium on Tuesday night to play Aston Villa, who like their previous two opponents sit below them on the table. On paper it looks like a mismatch with Reading unbeaten at home and Villa yet to win on the road. However it is likely that the Villains will get a lift from having a new manager like Steve Bruce in charge.
New Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce poses after the press conference
They produced a gallant display against Wolves in the former Birmingham and Sunderland managers’ first game in charge. While the performance had positives, Bruce was honest about the overall situation when speaking after the match. “There is a lot of work to be done, the hardest thing in management is always getting over a relegation. We’ve won four games in 55 which is a alarming statistic, but it is my job to find a formula to win,” Bruce said.
Aston Villa’s Micah Richards
Aston Villa were dealt a double injury blow with captain Tommy Elphick and veteran defender Micah Richards ruled out of the clash with calf injuries. Reading are not without injury woes of their own with captain Paul McShane set to remain on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
The teams last met during the 2012/13 Premier League season where Aston Villa won on both occasions (2-1 and 1-0). Reading last win in this fixture came in 2007 where they secured a 2-0 win. With both teams lacking a bit of confidence free flowing Football is likely to be at a premium, and the Villians main goal will be to come away with a point. However Reading have displayed the more consistent form throughout the season and should be just a little too good on this occasion.
Prediction
Reading 1-0 Aston Villa
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