Bjarnason ends Villa blip to leave Bruce looking up

STEVE BRUCE has an array of attacking talent to call on. And then there is Birkir Bjarnason. On a night when Villa were under pressure to overcome their recent crisis, a collectors’ item goal from the Iceland midfielder set them on their way. Established scorers Conor Hourihane and Scott Hogan made sure normal service was resumed against 10-man Reading, who had David Edwards sent off on the half-hour for two bookings. ‘It was a wonder goal from Birkir,’ said Bruce. ‘He had his best game for Villa. When I told him he wasn’t involved at the weekend he was ready to rip my head off, but it paid dividends here. He looked fresh as a daisy.’ Blips are all about the timing and Villa could not have chosen a more destructive period than the run-in. Eight points had vaporised in three matches. However, Bruce has not given up on automatic promotion. ‘The top two play each other and we play Cardiff, too. There will be a few twists and turns,’ he added. The breakthrough came at the start of the second half. Robert Snodgrass set up Bjarnason and his finish was sublime. Snodgrass then chipped into the area for Hourihane to head home. Hogan took advantage of Vito Mannone going walkabout to make it 3-0. Reading boss Paul Clement lamented: ‘We forgot to attack.’