JAAP Stam accused Aston Villa of using negative tactics to grind out a 2-1 win at Madejski Stadium and end Reading FC's unbeaten home record.

A 90th minute Jordan Ayew penalty last night ended Villa's 436-day wait for an away victory and secured their first win under new boss Steve Bruce.

It was a bitter pill for Stam to swallow after Yann Kermorgant's 54th minute header had cancelled out Jonathan Kodjia's first-half opener for the visitors.

But despite dominating possession and territory, Reading struggled to break down Villa's stubborn defence.

Royals boss argued: “There was only one team trying to play football and that was us.

“The way Aston Villa play will get them results, it happened today.

“They sat in front of their box and looked to break quickly. We knew they have quality because they spent a lot of money at the beginning of the season.

“They can make it difficult for you and we spoke about that before the game.

“I think we need to create a bit more, but it would also be nice if the opposition played a bit more as well.

“There's a lot more space to play balls through which creates more chances like you saw in the second half.

“But every team in playing like a Champions League team by dropping in and sitting in front of their own box so the gaps are very small.

“We need to find a way to create more chances and play balls in behind so that we end up with someone in front of goal or having a shot, but it's not easy.”

Stam picked an unchanged side from the one that drew 1-1 at QPR on Saturday, while Villa were missing influential midfielder Jack Grealish following an FA ban for stamping.

The first half was a cagey affair, with John Swift and Roy Beerens going close for Royals and Gary Gardner threatening for Villa.

Bruce's men broke the deadlock in the 38th minute when Albert Adomah teed up Kodjia, whose shot deflected off Tyler Blackett and bobbled over the line.

Pierluigi Gollini denied Kermorgant an equaliser before the break then Kodjia brought the best out of Ali Al Habsi at the other end.

Leandro Bacuna's piledriver flew narrowly wide for Villa after the restart, and Al Habsi breathed a sigh of relieve she his pass to George Evans fell short and thankfully just out of reach of Bacuna in front of an open goal.

But Stam's men levelled in the 54th minute when referee Andy Woolmer awarded a penalty after Aly Cissokho had brought down Garath McCleary.

Gollini did well to save Danny Williams' spot-kick, but Kermorgant expertly steered the rebound back over the Villa keeper with a smart header.

Suddenly, Villa's 4,000 travelling fans fell silent as Reading stepped it up and threatened a second through Evans, Joey van den Berg and McCleary as the hour mark approached.

Further chances for Kermorgant and McCleary came to nothing and, as the game opened up, Bacuna and Kodjia went close for Villa.

But the visitors snatched all three points in the 90th minute when Liam Moore tripped substitute Ayew who then sent Al Habsi the wrong way from the spot.

Stam added: “We didn't create a lot of chances in the first half but that's because the opposition were sitting and waiting for the moment for us to lose the ball so they could counter attack. You need to be patient in that situation.

“Villa started pressing us higher up the pitch in the second half so spaces opened up for you to pass the ball through and use the pockets.

“There were some good runs from Garath McCleary and Danny Williams in behind. Roy Beerens and John Swift also did it a couple of times and we created a couple of chances.

“The only thing we could have done better is be more decisive in defence, especially in the second half when Villa put the ball long to their striker. We need to win that first ball instead of the second one.”

Stam also suggested Ayew was looking for a penalty from Woolmer as the final whistle approached.

“I didn't really see it very well but some people said you can give it, others said no because Liam had pulled his leg back already,” he stated.

“The thing is when a player is in the box that late in the game he is always looking for contact if he can't shoot himself and go down. Referees should think about that as well, it's quite important.”