Strikers freeze for Villa

DEAN SMITH admitted the firepower of Aston Villa let them down for once as they were held at Reading.

The game saw a goalless draw with keeper Emiliano Martinez having an inspired home debut.

The Arsenal loanee kept out efforts from Anwar El-ghazi and Tammy Abraham, and boss Smith rued an unproductive day.

He said “We came here to get three points, we were disappointed with the result but not the performance.

“Especially in the second half, I thought we were excellent.

“We created a number of opportunities but we didn’t take them.

“It was very unlike us not to score goals, that’s for sure, and I think it’s the first goalless draw I’ve had here.”

Smith added: “I thought we looked very solid at the other end.”

Villa almost struck first on 12 minutes when Abraham headed Martinez’s parry wide.

Then Tommy Elphick headed an effort against the crossbar.

The visitors upped the tempo in the second half, although neither side were able to create a clear cut effort.

Reading manager Jose Gomes said: “I feel daily that the players will give to everybody and the club what we deserve.

“The quality and spirit we felt today against a very strong team gives us big hope for the future.”