Aston Villa 1 (O'Halloran 56)
Reading 1 (Long 19)

Brian McDermott's men showed plenty of energy and attacking intent, but ended up being pegged back to a 1-1 draw at Villa Park on Monday evening.

A victory for the Royals would have put them within one point of the league leaders. But it wasn't to be, despite a host of chances throughout the game.

The first half was well contested, Reading taking the lead on 19 minutes when Shane Long headed home Oliver Bozanic's free-kick.

Reading had opportunities to further their lead, Leroy Lita being thwarted by Villa keeper Stuart Taylor and John Halls firing over.

And they were made to pay for the profligacy when Villa levelled with a Stephen O'Halloran header 11 minutes after the interval.

Both sides had chances to win it, John Halls again going close and Long hitting the crossbar before Federici made a brilliant double save in the final minute.

Full video highlights will be on Reading World later in the week.

Aston Villa: Taylor; Lund, O'Halloran, Knight, Baker; Osbourne, Routledge, Salifou, Bannan (Albrighton 85); Berger (c) (Collins 60), Delfouneso
Subs: Bellon, Bevan, Earls, Lichaj

Reading: Federici; Rosenior, De La Cruz (c), Bennett, Bikey; Karacan, Halls, Bozanic (Kelly 71), Kebe; Lita, Long
Subs: McCarthy, Golbourne, Hateley, Illguason

First half
Just one day after losing 2-1 to Aston Villa in the Premier League clash at Madejski Stadium, the Royals met the West Midlands side at reserve team level on a nippy evening at Villa Park.

Royals keeper Adam Federici was called into action on two minutes, showing a safe pair of hands to collect a well-placed corner from Patrik Berger.

Villa striker Nathan Delfouneso did well on five minutes when he tricked his way past Andre Bikey and rifled in a right footer which had Federici diving full stretch to his left to make a save.

Andre Bikey looked strong in defence throughout the first half. On 10 minutes he anticipated well to cut out Moustapha Salifou's left wing cross to end a pacey Villa break.

Something of a heart-stopping moment for the Royals on 15 minutes as Alan Bennett beats Delfouneso to a loose ball, and plays what should be a harmless ball back to Federici. The defender misplaces a heavy pass which nearly runs into the goal, but the Aussie keeper sprints back in the nick of time to clear off his own line.

Villa are on top and have a good chance on 17 minutes when Berger slides into Delfouneso, but the Villa striker hits his shot high over the crossbar.

Reading have a good break on 19 minutes when Liam Rosenior overlaps down the right and swings in a great cross which is defended well under pressure by Erik Lund.

But Rosenior has been fouled in the act of crossing, and female referee Amy Rayner pulls play back for a free-kick in a dangerous position on the right side of the Villa penalty box. Bozanic swings in a great left footed centre for Shane Long to rise and find the back of the net with a good glancing header.

After soaking up the pressure and then going ahead, the Royals reserves then begin to establish themselves in the game. They should have doubled the lead on 22 minutes when Long's flick-on header finds strike partner Leroy Lita racing in on goal. Lita steadies himself to shoot, but with just keeper Stuart Taylor to beat, he opts for power instead of placement, and finds the feet of the Villa stopper.

Berger pulls a left footed shot wide from distance on 25 minutes, and shortly afterwards, Wayne Routledge turns Berger's corner wide from a good position as the hosts look to level.

Rosenior does well defensively on 35 minutes, getting back to turn Barry Bannan's dangerous-looking cross behind.

Another great chance for Reading on 36 minutes. Lita plays in a neat ball for Jimmy Kebe, who gets past his marker down right and picks out John Halls, who blazes over from a central position eight yards out.

Bikey makes a great tackle and clearance in his own box to deny Delfouneso on 42 minutes. And seconds later he denies Bannan, who gets in behind defence on right touchline but meets the challenge of the big Cameroonian.

Villa finish the half strongly and have their best chance of the half on the stroke of half-time when Bannan crosses from the left, finding Delfouneso, who gets in between the Royals defenders to head over the crossbar.

Second half
Villa start with intent, going close on 48 minutes when Bannan plays a neat one-two with Berger before running at goal and sliding in Salifou, who smacks his shot wide of the target.

Reading hit back with a good chance of their own on 52 minutes. Kebe does well with the ball, running at goal and playing a clever reverse pass for Long who cuts in and fires at goal. The effort is blocked but falls for Halls, who forces a great double save from Taylor.

Villa level on 56 minutes when Berger curls in good free-kick from the right, finding Stephen O'Halloran who beats the offside trap to head past Federici from close range.

Berger produces another good free-kick one two minutes later but this time Federici makes a good stop at the feet of Delfouneso.

Reading have another half-chance on 59 minutes when Rosenior produces a quality cross from the right for Lita to go up in the box with Taylor, but the keeper is just tall enough to get a punch on the ball ahead of the marksman.

Bannan is having a great game on the left for Villa, and the tricky young winger curls in a great free-kick on 63 minutes. Again O'Halloran beats the offside trap and almost produces a carbon copy of his goal, but this time Federici makes a tremendous stop and the rebound comes back off O'Halloran and bounces behind.

Federici is also a contender for man of the match, and he makes another great save from Delfouneso's power shot from the edge of the box minutes later.

Long goes close on 73 minutes, seeing his header clip the corner of the upright on it's way over after a good free-kick from Jem Karacan.

The second half is entertaining stuff, with chances aplenty at each end. Karacan produces a corner on 76 minutes, the ball finds Halls, who has a shot cleared by Delfouneso before Halls heads the rebound wide.

The game looks to be heading for a draw, but not before Federici makes another top class save in the final minute. Routledge plays in Salifou, who races in on goal one-on-one with the keeper, but Federici stands his ground to keep out the effort and then recovers to deny James Collins' follow-up.

Full video highlights will be on Reading World later this week.