Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan at the double for Reading in 2-2 draw vs Aston Villa U23s

Nigeria-eligible center forward Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan netted his first-ever brace in the Premier League 2 as Reading were held to a 2-2 draw by Aston Villa on Monday night.

Four youngsters of Nigerian descent were on parade at Select Car Leasing Stadium in Berkshire, with Ehibhatiomhan and Tim Iroegbunam going the distance for the Royals and Lions respectively, Caleb Chukwuemeka was in action for 75 minutes and Chisom Afoka entered the game as a substitute with three minutes left on the clock.

Ehibhatiomhan opened the scoring by dinking the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper in the tenth minute, but Abldeen-Goodridge leveled matters from the spot just before the half hour mark.

Reading went ahead again in the third minute of first half stoppage time, Ehibhatiomhan volleying home his second of the night.

Thorndike salvaged a draw for the visitors when he slammed the ball in with five minutes left on the clock.

Aged 19, Ehibhatiomhan made his professional debut for Reading in a Carabao Cup clash against Swansea City, playing for 55 minutes in a 3-0 loss back in August.

He has been included in the matchday squad for Championship matches on eleven occasions in 2021-2022.

Reading are now sitting 12th in the Premier League 2 Division Two table with ten points from eleven matches.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : readingfc.co.uk