*Aston Villa missed out on the chance to close the gap on the play-off places as they were held to a goalless draw at struggling Reading.*

The Villans came closest to breaking the deadlock before the break, with top scorer Tammy Abraham missing an excellent chance from close range and former Royals loanee Tommy Elphick heading against the bar.

Reading struggled to create many clear-cut chances but felt they should have had a penalty in the first half when Alan Hutton appeared to take down Ovie Ejaria in the area.

Abraham nearly snatched it for Villa, who have now won just one of their past 10 matches, but he was denied by a fine save from goalkeeper Emi Martinez.

The stalemate was Dean Smith’s side’s first of the season and left them four points outside the top six, while the Royals remained in the relegation zone.

Villa should have taken an early lead when England international Abraham failed to convert after Martinez saved Anwar El Ghazi’s initial effort.

It was a competitive game throughout with both teams in need of points for different reasons, but a draw did little for either.

Reading visit Sheffield Wednesday next Saturday, while Villa are back in action when they host promotion-chasing Sheffield United on Friday.

*Aston Villa manager Dean Smith told BBC Radio WM 95.6:*

“There is a feeling of frustration but our performance levels are back to where I want them to be. We started well and were on the front foot and I thought we were especially good in the second half.

“We changed it tactically at half time and had the best chances in the game. Tammy Abraham had two headers and will probably be disappointed that he didn’t score. On the balance of chances we were the better team today.

“They’ve got a new manager and they’ll cause teams problems here. We looked resolute and Tyrone Mings was fantastic, but the only thing missing was a goal.”