New skipper Gareth Barry ensured Martin O'Neill celebrated his first home match as Aston Villa manager with a 2-1 victory as he headed a second-half winner against 10-man Reading. O'Neill's presence ensured a bumper crowd only for the Royals to threaten to spoil the party by taking an early lead through Kevin Doyle.

O'Neill is aware much work lies ahead before Villa can contemplate a return to the glory days and in the opening 20 minutes they were often chasing shadows against a slick and well organised Reading.

But at least the Villa followers in the 37,329 crowd could see a passion and commitment they perceived to be lacking under O'Neill's predecessor David O'Leary.

And as the game progressed Villa started to produce some composed football with Barry an inspirational figure and there were cries of 'Barry for England' from the terraces.

A tremendous roar broke out from the crowd at the entrance of O'Neill who was given a standing ovation on his way to the dug-out.

But after four minutes Reading stunned Villa by taking the lead.

The creator was former Wolves player Seol Ki-Hyeon who skipped past the challenge of Luke Moore before floating over an inviting centre from the right wing which was headed past Thomas Sorensen by the unmarked Doyle.

Villa midfielder Gavin McCann became the first player to be yellow-carded by referee Lee Mason after a mistimed challenge in the centre circle on Doyle.

New Villa skipper Barry had his side's first effort on target in the 11th minute but his right-footed attempt from the edge of the box was easily dealt with by Hahnemann.

Reading were looking sharp, incisive and full of confidence and midfielder Steve Sidwell could have doubled their lead after 14 minutes.

Leroy Lita teed up invitingly a right-wing cross from Convey into the path of Sidwell but from 12 yards out he scuffed his volley past the post.

Angel thought he had equalised after 20 minutes when he headed home a cross from Barry but he had strayed marginally offside to cut short O'Neill's celebrations.

Villa were starting to build up some momentum as O'Neill started to become more animated.

Moore should have done better after the ball ricocheted off Gabriel Agbonlahor into his path but a lack of composure let him down as he fired over the bar.

Then after 35 minutes Villa drew level from the penalty spot through Angel as Reading were reduced to 10 men.

Sonko was adjudged to have committed a professional foul on Moore inside the penalty area and was given an instant red card by referee Mason who then pointed to the spot.

Up stepped Angel and the stadium erupted as he sent Hahnemann the wrong way with a coolly taken penalty.

Royals boss Steve Coppell instantly reacted by taking off Lita and replacing him with a central defender in Brynjar Gunnarsson.

Reading were now playing with Doyle as the lone striker and strung two banks of four across the pitch in an attempt to frustrate Villa.

Hahnemann went down at the foot of a post to cling onto a low shot on the turn from Angel at the start of the second period after McCann had driven forward into the Reading box.

O'Neill made his first substitution just before the hour mark with Samuel limping out of the action to be replaced by Whittingham.

And within two minutes the former England Under-21 player had set up a goal for Barry.

Whittingham delivered an inviting left-wing cross to the near post and Barry got in front of Ingimarsson to send a glancing header past Hahnemann into the corner of the net.