7pm 24 January 2022
Premier League Two, Division Two
Aston Villa U23 4 Reading U23 1 (att 500)
Aston Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground has expanded since my 2013 visit, and now includes a show pitch among new facilities built some distance from the original site.
As I understand it, the existing training ground and academy pitches will disappear to make way for HS2. The club has used the inevitable upheaval as an opportunity to upgrade facilities.
The main pitch has a stand with around 500 seats. Friendly stewards make spectators feel welcome, and the availability of refreshments, teamsheets and a public address system meant this was a more relaxed visit than some matches at training grounds.
It was a lively game as well. Aston Villa took an early lead but it didn't take Reading long to equalise. The home side looked dangerous with every attack, and the visitors were lucky to trail by just 2-1 at half time.
The second half began more evenly, but when Villa got a third goal the contest was effectively over. They scored a fourth before the end, for a win that was comprehensive and deserved.
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