Instant Reaction: Reading 1 - 2 Aston Villa

Despite leaving supply lines to Rudy Gestede dead in the water, Aston Villa managed to steal a victory against a tepid Reading side. Their first away win since August 2015.

Villa managed to steal a goal early on through Jonathan Kodjia’s deflected strike.

Jaap Staam’s Royals didn’t manage to break down a resilient Villa despite having the majority of the ball, their goal coming from a penalty given away shortly after half-time by Aly Cissokho, his second in two games. Gollini managed to save it, but couldn’t get to Yann Kermorgant’s excellent rebound.

Villa managed to frustrate for the rest of the match and it was only in the 90th minute that they sealed a victory through a nervy Ayew penalty. Numerous defensive errors underlined what should have been a solid victory.

Today’s win marks Steve Bruce’s first win as Villa boss and also ensures that he remains unbeaten in his role, despite playing an uninspired team for the second time in a row. Villa didn’t suffer too much of a hangover from there lacklustre tie with Wolves on the weekend and despite the lack of Jack Grealish, Tommy Elphick and Micah Richards.

All in all, Aston Villa did it. Amongst rapturous applause and the crowd’s roar. It’s a win. An away win. The entire team ran to Villa’s away support whilst Oasis’s ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ screamed out across the audio system. Gollini’s shirt and shorts end up with the Villa faithful.

We got there guys. We did it.