LONDON, Feb 10: Steve Sidwell scored twice as Reading kept their bid for an unlikely European place on course with a 2-0 victory against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Reading manager Steve Coppell has been playing down talk of his newly-promoted side qualifying for the UEFA Cup, but Sidwell's double at the Madejski Stadium clinched a fifth successive win to keep the dream firmly alive.

Sidwell was on target in either half to consolidate sixth place for Reading, while Villa remain marooned in the bottom half of the table.

Victory ensured Reading stay sixth in their first Premier League season, while defeat for Martin O'Neill's side keeps them 13th before the rest of the day's action.

Leaders Manchester United are at home to relegation battlers Charlton Athletic and second-placed champions Chelsea, who are six points adrift, host Middlesbrough.—Agencies