Aston Villa Under-23s were beaten 2-1 by Reading Under-23s at Bodymoor Heath on Friday night.
Mark Delaney's side fell behind to an Augustus McGiff strike just after the hour-mark, before Cameron Archer's deflected effort on 80 minutes looked to have earned the hosts a point in the Premier League 2 encounter.
Oliver Pendlebury converted a late penalty, however, to give the Royals all three points.
The first half was a cagey one, with both sides resorting to long-distance efforts in an attempt to draw first blood.
It wasn't until the second half when the game sprung to life.
Jaden Philogene-Bidace fashioned the first meaningul effort of the evening when he raced into the Reading area, only to blaze his effort high and wide.
Reading, however, took full advantage when their opportunity arose. A corner from the left-hand side was played short along the line, before being driven across the face of goal where McGiff was on hand to tap home and open the scoring.
Villa missed a golden chance to equalise not long after, when Tyreik Wright beared down on the Reading area after a lofted through-ball.
Wright had DJ Sturridge, fresh off the bench, free alongside him, but overhit his square pass.
A little bit of luck was needed for Villa to equalise, and they got it on 80 minutes when Archer's driven effort was deflected in by Nelson Abbey.
The game looked to be heading towards a hard-earned draw, but Pendlebury stepped up to dispatch his spot-kick and give the visitors all three points.
Mark Delaney's side continue their Premier League 2 campaign next Friday (Oct 2nd), when they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (7pm kick-off).
Aston Villa: Onodi; Kesler, S. Revan, D. Revan (C), Bridge; Brunt (Sturridge 69'), Wright, Chukwuemeka, Archer, A. Ramsey, Philogene-Bidace (Barry 80')
Subs not used: Marschall, Farr, Guy
Reading: Boyce-Clarke; Hewitt (Azeez 46'), Bristow, East (C), Watson, Abbey, Adebayo (Onen 46'), Pendlebury, McGiff, Lawless (Levy 76'), Samuels
Subs not used: Holden
