Aston Villa scored twice before the break to get the better of relegation rivals Reading and claim three precious points this afternoon.

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Both sides set the tone for an attacking encounter early on as Noel Hunt went close before Christian Benteke hit the crossbar for the visitors.

Reading went ahead in comical fashion after 31 minutes when Nathan Baker put through his own net after failing to meet Hope Akpan's flick from a Jobi McAnuff cross.

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Villa hit back quickly and were level three minutes later when Andreas Weimann's cross was turned home by a deflected Benteke drive.

A rapid turnaround was complete before the interval thanks to Gabriel Agbonlahor's quick reactions after Barry Bannan's low strike hit the crossbar before bouncing to his teammate.

Agbonlahor lashed home on the rebound into the roof of the net for his seventh goal of the season.

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Attacking intent form both sides continued after the interval as Yacouba Sylla drove a fierce strike from distance just over the bar.

The home side thought that they were level soon after when Hunt tapped in from close range, but the forward was denied by a late flag for offside.

Hal Robson-Kanu then snatched at a gilt-edged chance from close range as the Royals pushed for an equaliser.

Substitutes Nick Blackman and Charles N'Zogbia both spurned chances late on as Villa survived to climb out of the relegation zone.