Played
November 27, 2012 3:00 PM EST
Villa Park — Birmingham
Referee: L. Probert
Attendance: 28692
November 27, 2012 3:00 PM EST
Villa Park — Birmingham
Referee: L. Probert
Attendance: 28692
80′
C. Benteke
Top of the Match
C. Benteke
Aston Villa
Aston Villa
C. Benteke
Aston Villa
Aston Villa
Flop of the Match
Andreas Weimann
Aston Villa
Aston Villa
Adam Le Fondre
Reading
Reading
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Aston Villa 1-0 Reading: Benteke header lifts hosts out of drop zone
A set piece undid the Royals, as the Villans have their Belgian international to thank after his goal moves them out of the relegation zone.
By Sam Wells
Getty Images
A Christian Benteke header was enough to secure Aston Villa three points against Reading with a 1-0 victory moving the Villans out of the relegation zone as they leapfrog Southampton into 17th place in the Premier League.
In a game full of endeavor but bereft of real quality, it was an Aston Villa set piece that ultimately consigned the Royals to at least another few days in the relegation zone, as Benteke powered home from a Kieran Westwood corner for a Villa side that played without a healthy Darren Bent included in the squad.
It was just nine minutes before the first clear-cut chance fell the away side's way with a Jobi McAnuff cross producing a Hal Robson-Kanu toepoke that forced Brad Guzan into an excellent point-blank save en route to his second straight clean sheet.
An even better chance fell Benteke's way 10 minutes later, as a Jay Tabb cross found him in the area, only for the Belgian's sidefooted effort to be saved with aplomb by Adam Federici. It was Benteke's turn to play provider next as he squared a cross to Andreas Weimann who, six yards out, could only blaze way over with the strike.
Half-chances continued to fall both sides' way in the second half, with Brett Holman first firing wide for the home side, before both Adam Le Fondre and Ciaran Clark failed to capitalize from free headers for their respective sides.
The end-to-end game continued as Guzan produced another decent save to deny a Jason Roberts effort with 65 minutes gone.
Both sides continued to battle without much reward, and it was the 80th minute before the stalemate was finally broken as, following a Westwood corner, Benteke powerfully rose above Sean Morrison and thumped his header emphatically home from eight yards out.
Reading was unable to mount a comeback of any substance, with the only clear cut chance falling to substitute Noel Hunt, who could only head into Guzan's grateful arms.
In a game full of endeavor but bereft of real quality, it was an Aston Villa set piece that ultimately consigned the Royals to at least another few days in the relegation zone, as Benteke powered home from a Kieran Westwood corner for a Villa side that played without a healthy Darren Bent included in the squad.
It was just nine minutes before the first clear-cut chance fell the away side's way with a Jobi McAnuff cross producing a Hal Robson-Kanu toepoke that forced Brad Guzan into an excellent point-blank save en route to his second straight clean sheet.
An even better chance fell Benteke's way 10 minutes later, as a Jay Tabb cross found him in the area, only for the Belgian's sidefooted effort to be saved with aplomb by Adam Federici. It was Benteke's turn to play provider next as he squared a cross to Andreas Weimann who, six yards out, could only blaze way over with the strike.
Half-chances continued to fall both sides' way in the second half, with Brett Holman first firing wide for the home side, before both Adam Le Fondre and Ciaran Clark failed to capitalize from free headers for their respective sides.
The end-to-end game continued as Guzan produced another decent save to deny a Jason Roberts effort with 65 minutes gone.
Both sides continued to battle without much reward, and it was the 80th minute before the stalemate was finally broken as, following a Westwood corner, Benteke powerfully rose above Sean Morrison and thumped his header emphatically home from eight yards out.
Reading was unable to mount a comeback of any substance, with the only clear cut chance falling to substitute Noel Hunt, who could only head into Guzan's grateful arms.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EST
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie Striker Man United |
26 | 3 |
|
Luis Suárez Striker Liverpool |
23 | 0 |
|
Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
21 | 0 |
|
C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
|
Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |
