READING FC fell to a 4-1 defeat at Aston Villa in their penultimate Under 18 Premier League fixture of the campaign.

It started so well for David Dodds’ youngsters at Bodymoor Heath when Conor Lawless put them ahead before the half-hour mark.

But Villa equalised through Indiana Vassilev before the break and took the lead early in the second half with a Dimitri Sea strike.

Reading received another blow when Andre Burley was send off for two bookings soon after, with a late Ben Guy penalty and a second goal for Sea clinching victory for the home side.

Dodds argued: “It was a bit of a false scoreline in the end.

“We were a bit sloppy after half time which meant we were chasing the game.

“It was pretty even after that and it could have gone either way, but it made it more difficult when Andre Burley was sent off.

“He was a bit unlucky as the first yellow was deemed a high foot when their lad ducked low to head the ball.

“With 11 men, it might have been possible to get back into it, but Villa managed to take advantage.”

Aston Villa U18: Burton, Ige, Bridge, Revan, Bazeley, Odutayo (Guy 70), Vassilev, Walker, Brunt, Sea, Tait. Subs not used: Boucher, Sohna, Farr, McConnachie.

Reading U18: J.Andresson, Balogun, Lawless (Pemberton 79), Burley, Philby, Buchanan (Olise 68), Faniyan, Omolabi, Lawrence, Simmo, Moore (Liddle 88). Subs not used: Roberts, Brooking.