Aston Villa 2 Reading 1: New captain Gareth Barry ensured Martin O'Neill celebrated his first home match as Aston Villa manager with a victory as he headed a second-half winner against 10-man Reading.
O'Neill's presence attracted a bumper crowd only for the Royals to threaten to spoil the party by taking an early lead through Kevin Doyle. But Juan Pablo Angel levelled from the penalty spot after Ibrahima Sonko was sent off for a professional foul and then Barry turned home a cross from substitute Peter Whittingham.
After four minutes Reading took the lead. Seol Ki-Hyeon floated a cross from the right wing, which was headed past Thomas Sorensen by Doyle.
Steve Sidwell could have doubled their lead after 14 minutes but he scuffed his volley past the post. Angel thought he had equalised after 20 minutes when he headed home a cross from Barry but he had strayed offside.
After 35 minutes Villa drew level from the penalty spot as Reading were reduced to 10 men. Sonko was adjudged to have committed a professional foul on Moore inside the penalty area. Angel sent Marcus Hahnemann the wrong way from the spot.
Reading boss Steve Coppell reacted by taking off Leroy Lita and replacing him with a central defender in Brynjar Gunnarsson.Reading played Doyle as the lone striker and strung two banks of four across the pitch in an attempt to frustrate Villa.
O'Neill made his first substitution just before the hour mark, Samuel limping out to be replaced by Whittingham. And within two minutes the substitute had set up a goal for Barry. Whittingham delivered a cross to the near post and Barry sent a header into the corner of the net.
ASTON VILLA: Sorensen; Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel (Whittingham 59), Moore, Davis, McCann, Barry, Agbonlahor, Angel. Subs not used: Taylor, Laursen, Hendrie, Djemba-Djemba. Booked: McCann, Samuel. Goals: Angel 34 pen, Barry 61.
READING: Hahnemann; Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Ki-Hyeon, Harper, Sidwell, Convey (Hunt 65), Doyle (Long 81), Lita (Gunnarsson 36). Subs not used: Stack, Oster. Sent off: Sonko (33). Booked: Ingimarsson. Goals: Doyle 4.
Referee: L Mason (Lancashire).
