PAUL McShane or Tiago Ilori?

That is the potential dilemma face Royals boss Paul Clement for tomorrow’s clash at Aston Villa (3pm ko).

Royals are searching for their first win of the campaign after three defeats and a draw leaves them one place off the bottom of the Championship table.

Villa, in fifth, are unbeaten with two wins and two draws and have the advantage of playing at their home ground.

Perhaps the biggest call Clement has to make tomorrow is who to play alongside Liam Moore at the back.

Even though results were poor, Ilori hadn’t really put a foot wrong in the first three games which included the Carabao Cup win and clean sheet against Birmingham City – Reading’s only victory of any kind this season.

Yet the former Liverpool centre-back was unceremoniously dropped for the next fixture against Bolton, with captain McShane reinstated.

It was a bold call by Clement and one that failed to deliver success as Phil Parkinson’s Trotters won the game 1-0.

When I asked Clement if Ilori could feel rightly disappointed with starting on the bench, he replied: “Yes, I think he was a bit unlucky.

“He was disappointed not to play and I expect that. He wasn’t left out for performance reasons, it was more about what we have coming up with five games in 15 days.

“You have to use your squad, but I accept the point.”

Reading Chronicle:

Reading defender, Tiago Ilori.

Nevertheless, that should have given Clement licence to shake things up for Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday.

But he kept faith with McShane - only for the Irishman to give away two soft penalties which Rovers converted to complete an unlikely comeback from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.

You can understand Clement’s loyalty to his skipper, who has served Reading with distinction during good times and bad.

But the day may have arrived for Clement to swallow his pride and give Ilori a run in the team that many supporters feel he deserves.

That decision could be taken out of Clement’s hands tomorrow if ilori fails a fitness test, having picked up a slight injury in training this week.

But if the 25-year-old has recovered I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the starting line-up.

Injury news:

Sone Aluko and Mo Barrow have made full recoveries and are pushing for starts, as are new loan signing John Sims and striker Marc McNulty.

Dave Edwards and Garath McCleary are hoping to return in September, while Chris Gunter could be sidelined for a little longer.

Callum Harriott and Jordan Obita are also recovering from long-term injuries.

Aston Villa:

New signing Anwar El Ghazi could make his debut tomorrow following his loan move from Lille.

Villa boss Steve Bruce is trying to sign Everton's Yannick Bolasie, but may not get the deal done in time to face Royals.

Top stats:

Villa have won 10 of their last 11 fixtures against Reading in all competitions.

Reading have won just one of their last 17 away matches in all competitions.