READING FC’s unbeaten home record this season ended in heartbreaking fashion to Aston Villa, who secured their first away victory in more than a year.

Yann Kermorgant looked to have earned Jaap Stam's men a point when he cancelled out Jonathan Kodja’s opener for Steve Bruce's visitors.

But a costly trip from Liam Moore sent Jordan Ayew tumbling in the box in the 90th minute, and the substitute striker made no mistake from the spot to give Bruce his first win as Villa manager.

Reading started the game unbeaten at home all season, but they slipped to a last-minute defeat despite dominating possession for large spells of the game.

Aston Villa fans travelled in their numbers with more than 4,000 making the trip to Berkshire, despite not having seen their side win on the road for 436 days.

But that loyalty was rewarded at the final whistle - at the expense of Stam's shellshocked Reading team.

Stam named an unchanged side from the one that started in 1-1 draw at QPR, with Joey van den Berg filling in at centre-back for the injured skipper Paul McShane.

The first chance fell to the visitors after Alan Hutton broke away from two Reading challenges and his cross eventually found Kodja on the edge of the penalty area, but Villa’s record signing cannoned his shot into a defender.

Reading responded when a training ground set piece found John Swift unmarked on seven minutes and the midfielder took a touch and fired his effort wide of Pierluigi Gollini’s right-hand post.

But Royals keeper Ali Al-Habsi had to be alert when he rushed out of his area to intercept a pass destined for Gary Gardner as he raced towards goal.

Reading, though, were enjoying the lion's share of possession.

And a thunderous round of applause rippled around the Madejski Stadium in the 28th minute later as supporters of both clubs paid an emotional tribute to late Royals fan Jamie Golding, who died last week aged 28.

Bruce's men then took the lead in the 38th minute when Albert Adomah's cross fell to the unmarked Kodja, whose shot deflected off Tyler Blackett and into the back of Ali Al-Habsi’s net.

Royals almost equalised immediately, but Kermorgant's brave effort was smothered by Gollini inside the six yard box as Villa took a slender advantage into the break.

Bruce's men threatened a second after the restart when Bacuna drove a shot from range at Al Habsi.

And Royals' stopper almost gifted the same Villa player a simple tap-in following a mix-up with George Evans in his own area.

However, Reading got back on level terms with 52 minutes gone thanks to a superb Kermorgant header.

McCleary was sent crashing to the turf by a poor Aly Cissokho challenge and referee Andy Woolmer wasted no time in pointing to the spot.

Gollini guessed right to save Danny Williams' penalty, but Kermorgant reacted quickest by heading the ball back over the Villa keeper and into the far corner for his third of the season.

Now Reading were on top - and they almost snatched a second on the hour mark.

Gollini could only parry Evans's 25-yard effort for a corner, from which van den Berg forced another with an overhead kick that deflected wide.

Then from McCleary's flag-kick, Kermorgant headed straight into Gollijni's arms.

It was a wide-open second half compared to a cagey first during which Villa were content to sit back and play on the break.

And the visitors threatened again in the 65th minute when Bacuna’s snap-shot fron close range was well held by Al-Habsi.

Five minutes later their fans thought they had scored again, but Bacouna's free-kick had hit the side netting instead.

Chances continued to flow at both ends, McCleary testing Gollini with 72 minutes played, then Kodjia blazing into the stands from a good position less than 60 seconds later.

Yet there was more more twist to othe story to come in the 90th minute when Moore stuck out a leg and Ayew went down in the box.

Woolmer gave it, and the Villa substitute sent Al Habsi the wrong way to end Villa's 14-month wait for an away win.

Reading pushed for a late equaliser and went close when a McCleary cross fizzed across the face of the Villa goal, but the ball sailed wide of the far post.

Reading, without a win in four Championship matches, go basement side Rotherham United on Saturday (3pm).

Reading: Al Habsi, Gunter, Moore, Van Den Berg, Blackett, Evans (Gravenberch 90), Beerens, Swift, McCleary, Williams, Kermorgant. Subs not used: Obita, Samuel, Harriott, Watson, Jaakkola, Kelly.

Aston Villa: Gollini, Baker, Bacuna, Chester, Gestede (Ayew 76), Hutton, Gardner, Jedinak, Kodja (McCormack 85), Cissokho (Amavi 76), Adomah. Subs not used: Tshibola, Westwood, Bunn, Green. Booked: Hutton 77.

Referee: Andrew Woolmer.

Attendance: 20,331 (4,030 away).