Reading FC 2-1 Aston Villa: Player Ratings

Vito Mannone - 6

I can’t think of many misplaced passes from the Italian and certainly no short ones that put his defence in danger. Otherwise, he got down low early on to deny Andre Green’s breakaway, and was pretty well beaten for the goal.

Chris Gunter - 6

Played very high up the pitch when Reading were in possession but couldn’t quite create an opening. Solid defensively. More of the same will do nicely.

Liam Moore - 7

Edges into 7/10 territory for his assist as opposed to the still-absent clean sheet. I did note how proficient Moore was in the air against a long ball team on Tuesday night, doing a good job in all areas.

Paul McShane - 6

Calm on the ball, tough, and rarely allowed his lack of pace to be a major disadvantage. Clearly above Tiago Ilori in Jaap Stam’s pecking order.

Tyler Blackett - 7

Ventured forward with decent output against Villa and should have more confidence when doing so, delivering one particularly fantastic cross with pace in the first half. Similarly at the back, he dominated their right winger Bjarnason.

Joey van den Berg - 7

This is the Joey van den Berg Reading need. Physical, in the opposition’s face, and focused in possession. Much improved all around.

Liam Kelly - 6

Seemed to sit quite far to the right flank in the first half and only entered the real action in spurts. Ticked things over nicely but not his sparkiest outing.

John Swift - 7

Better, but still more to come. Produced some lovely turns and touches in advanced positions, including the key flick for the second goal. Could do more in defence, as the consolation replays will show.

Mo Barrow - 6

A livewire, the winger looked direct and threatening everytime he got on the ball. Took his goal well, albeit from three yards out, although he could work on his link-up play and dropped in and out of this one before being taken off.

Adrian Popa - 7

Arguably the best performance the Romanian has given in a Reading shirt. Dominated the left wing and created for others as well as himself, including the opener, taking a number of strikes on goal as the opportunity presented itself.

Pelle Clement - 6

It’s hard to criticise a player who has done the donkey work and, out of position, the young forward put in a good shift. Created a chance for McCleary with a neat dab over the top late on. However, he was generally easy to deal with in his own right.

Subs

George Evans - 5

Came on for van den Berg and wasn’t as effective, absent for the Villa goal.

Garath McCleary - 6

Nice touches but completely fudged a decent one-on-one opportunity to seal the win.

Roy Beerens - N/A

Full TTE Player Ratings for 2017/18 thus far: