Supersub Nathan Delfouneso came off the bench to preserve Villa's unbeaten record.

The England youth international capped a lively second-half performance against the Royals with the 78th minute goal that earned a deserved share of the spoils.

Earlier Alex Pearce had put the hosts ahead as Reading dominated the opening 45 minutes.

Villa were much better after the break and Delfouneso capped a spirited second 45 with the equaliser.

Oster saw a rising free-kick deflected behind for a corner on six.

Church headed over the bar from an Oster centre moments later.

The hosts had the lead on eight as Pearce rose to firmly head a Bozanic cross past Taylor.

Villa, unbeaten so far this season, made an uncharacteristically slow start at Aldershot FC's Recreation Ground.

Pearce headed over the bar on 15 as Reading continued to have the better of things.

Yago Bellon and Osbourne combined well a minute later, but the former fired straight at keeper Federici.

Taylor somehow denied Church from close range on 16, when the Reading man should have doubled his side's lead.

Stieber fired straight at Reading keeper Federici on 26 with Villa's first real attempt on goal as he linked up with Mikaelsson on the edge of the box.

Church had the ball in the net a minute later, but the linesman's flag was already up for offside.

Lita sliced over the bar from close-range on 31 as he met a flick from Bozanic's dangerous cross.

Davies did well to deny Church on 42, blocking the Reading man's through ball to the rampaging Sonko.

Earls headed straight at Federici on 45 as Villa looked to end a disappointing first-half on a high.

Stieber sliced over the bar moments later as he met Yago Bellon's cross from the right.

Delfouneso saw his low shot blocked by Halls on 49 before Osbourne struck the foot of the post with a thunderous 25-yard follow up. O'Halloran then fired wide of the upright.

Lively Villa substitute Delfouneso cut in from the left and sent a curled effort just over the bar on 55.

With Villa giving a better account of themselves after the interval, Mikaelsson volleyed inches wide as he met a left-wing centre from Earls on 59.

Taylor denied Bozanic on 65, parrying a well struck shot and then smothering the ball as the Reading man followed up.

Bikey fired over the Villa bar from distance on 76.

Delfouneso levelled matters two minutes later as he met Stieber's inswinging cross and headed low past Federici.

With both sides chasing a winner, O'Halloran headed clear from Bikey on 82.

Hogg almost met Delfouneso's flick from a Stieber centre on 90.

Taylor comfortably gathered a downward header from Sonko moments later.

Delfouneso and Williams were both denied by Federici deep into stoppage time. O'Halloran was off target with his follow up.

VILLA: Taylor, Lund, O'Halloran, Osbourne, Lowry, Davies, Y.Bellon, Hogg (booked 75), Mikaelsson, Earls, Stieber. Subs: Williams (for Mikaelsson 58), Bevan, Herd, Delfouneso (for Bellon ht). Collins.