PAUL Clement suffered his first defeat as Reading FC boss after seeing Dave Edwards sent off in the first half at Villa Park.
Edwards picked up two yellow cards in the space of 17 minutes to leave Royals a man short for an hour of the match.
And despite holding out until the interval, Royals were pummelled in the second period as Birkir Bjarnason, Conor Hourihane and Scott Hogan scored to keep Steve Bruce's hosts in the promotion hunt.
Royals, however, are looking over their shoulders at the relegation trap door once again.
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