Reading v Aston Villa Match Preview And Betting

Madejski Stadium, Saturday, 10 February 2007, 12:45pm

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Reading striker Shane Long is doubtful after returning from international duty with an ankle problem.

Kevin Doyle could rejoin the squad and James Harper is set to start despite having stitches in a foot wound.

Aston Villa defender Wilfred Bouma is a major doubt after suffering an ankle injury while on duty for Holland.

Gabriel Agbonlahor is expected to shake off a calf injury and fellow striker Luke Moore is back in the squad after recovering from a shoulder problem.

Reading take on Aston Villa in the Saturday lunchtime fixture looking for the victory that will secure their top six status this weekend.

Steve Coppell's Royal family are the story of this Premiership season. They continue to defy the experts and go into this game with just two points dropped out of 15 in an unbeaten 2007. They're third in the "form" table, and are scoring bagfuls of goals. Indeed only Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal have hit the back of the net more often. They've not lost in any competition since a League reverse at Old Trafford, where they return for FA Cup action next Saturday.

The Royals are yet to gain a League point against Villa. This is their sixth meeting and first in the Premiership on home turf.

Aston Villa began the season with great expectations under Martin O'Neill, but slumped from third to 13th since early November. They've only just stemmed the tide with two home victories in their last three outings. However these were against the relegation strugglers Watford and West Ham.

A second away victory of this Premiership campaign would propel the Villans back into the top half. Only the bottom three have won fewer games home and away in the highest League than the Midlanders' seven.

New skipper Gareth Barry ensured Martin O'Neill celebrated his first home match as Villa manager with a victory, as he headed a second half winner against the ten-man Royals in the reverse fixture in August.