Baldock makes Villa pay penalty

Posted Sunday, August 26, 2018 by PA

Sam Baldock converted a dramatic stoppage-time penalty to salvage a 1-1 Championship draw for Reading at Aston Villa.

The Royals had been over-run for long periods and it appeared as if they were heading for their 11th defeat in 12 visits to Villa Park.

Ahmed Elmohamady had given Villa a 51st-minute lead only for Reading to claw their way back into the game at the death.

Skipper James Chester brought down Josh Sims and Baldock stepped up to convert from the spot – his first goal since joining in the summer from Brighton.

Before the game, Villa manager Steve Bruce was in an animated conversation on the pitch with the club’s new owners, Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris.

In the match programme they claimed: “There is a lot of hard work required for the club to re-establish itself in the highest echelons of English football where we believe it belongs. It is important that any progress is sustainable.”

There was nearly a flying start when the tenacious John McGinn chased what appeared to be a hopeless cause only to win possession off Tyler Blackett.

But with the unmarked Jonathan Kodjia waiting for the pass, McGinn instead attempted a shot which keeper Vito Mannone saved at the second attempt.

In an open game, Villa left themselves vulnerable to the counter attack and it was only a fine recovery by Birkir Bjarnason which prevented Jon Dadi Bodvarsson creating a clear-cut opening.

Reading continued to live dangerously and their ragged defence was often stretched to the limit. Mannone made a brave save from Anwar El Ghazi while Chester smashed a 12-minute effort against the bar.

Kodjia, Villa’s two-goal hero against Brentford in midweek, had another of his frustrating games when he failed to pose any real danger to the Royals as he was kept in tight check by skipper Liam Moore.

Villa’s prospects were somewhat dented when they were forced to bring on Conor Hourihane at the start of the second half for Jack Grealish, who had not made his usual impact.

But they shrugged off this disappointment by rising to the challenge and taking the lead through the unmarked Elmohamady, who was on hand to head home a left-wing cross from El Ghazi.

Nine minutes from time Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland earned his spurs with two reflex goal-line saves in quick succession from Baldock and substitute Yakou Meite.

But Baldock had the last laugh when he converted a penalty at the death.