Coppell set to wield axe
Fast forward a year, though, and the Irish international has been marooned on the wing, scored only five times, and is confronting the unpleasant reality of a relegation battle.
To add to the decline in fortunes, Doyle was disappointing here, along with Kalifa Cisse, and the duo are likely to be victims in a shake-up planned by Steve Coppell as he bids to save Reading’s season.
Aston Villa dominated this encounter, as goals from Ashley Young and substitute Marlon Harewood secured three points towards their push for European football next term.
Nicky Shorey managed a consolation strike for the home side, but Coppell is aware that he needs to change things to banish the threat of Championship football next term.
‘‘If there were such thing as a confidence injection, we would give them,’’ he said. ‘‘This season has been frustrating, I just feel we have so much more potential in this squad.
‘‘At the moment I feel that maybe I have been too loyal to some players and it may just be that there will be four or five changes in our next match. The ones on the outside of the team must be very frustrated, and the ones in the team just aren’t delivering. Something has got to change.’’
Their current form is worrying. Reading have lost their last eight matches, equalling Coppell’s worst record since he was in charge of Crystal Palace 10 years ago.
Reading have also failed to pick up a single point in 2008, and Shorey’s strike was their first goal in 454 minutes of football.
But while the Royals head for a traumatic end of season run-in, Aston Villa could not be happier. They are realistic contenders for the fourth Champions League place, and will be buoyed by the form of their young English talent.
Gabriel Agbonlahor returned to action after a hamstring injury here, and was superb.
After Gareth Barry had wasted a chance to take the lead from the penalty spot — he skied his effort following a Kalifa Cisse handball — Agbonlahor took centre stage. Cisse got caught out in his own half, Agbonlahor raced away, and squared for Young.
The winger showed brilliant composure to tuck the ball into the roof of the net from eight yards on the stroke of half-time. After the break Reading pushed on in a desperate bid to equalise, and Dave Kitson saw three good chances go to waste.
But it was Young who made the difference and sealed the points on 84 minutes. The winger collected the ball in his own half, raced 40 yards, and played the ball to Harewood, who cleverly steered the ball into the far corner of the net.
Shorey’s injury time free kick did little to dampen Villa’s spirits as they headed away from the Madejski stadium.
‘‘There are four or five sides who are separated by virtually nothing,’’ manager Martin O’Neill said.
‘‘My view is that while people talk about a possible Champions League spot, we may not even qualify for Europe.
‘‘I know we conceded late on here, but I thought there was a great resilience about our play. I thought we were a great threat all day and there is no question that we deserved to win.’’
READING (4-4-2): Hahnemann 7, Murty 6, Cisse 5 (Ingimarsson 71, 6), Sonko 5, Shorey 6, Oster 5 (Kebe 58, 6), Harper 6, Matejovsky 7, Hunt 7, Doyle 5 (Long 71, 6), Kitson 5.
Subs Not Used: Bikey, Federici.
ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Carson 5, Gardner 6, Laursen 7, Davies 6, Bouma 6, Maloney 7 (Harewood 74, 6), Reo-Coker 6 (Osbourne 87, 5), Barry 7, Young 8, Agbonhlahor 7, Carew 6.
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Knight, Salifou.
REFEREE: Martin Atkinson (Yorkshire) 6: Showed no hesitation as he awarded a first-half penalty to Aston Villa for a harsh handball decision against Kalifa Cisse. His general decision making was accurate.
MATCH RATING: *** As a Carling Cup warm-up, this did not get pulses racing but Aston Villa will not care one jot. They have half an eye on the fourth Champions League spot; Reading, meanwhile, are in serious danger.
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