Brian McDermott has called for unity after Reading dropped deeper into the relegation mire.

The Royals are now four points adrift of the safety line in the Premier League after going down 1-0 at fellow strugglers Aston Villa on Tuesday through Christian Benteke's late goal.

Royals manager McDermott said: "We have to stick together now. It is really important we do that as a group, as fans.

"Hopefully they will stick with us, and get us over the line, and we get a result somewhere.

"We've got Manchester United next and it doesn't get any better. Reading are playing Manchester United.

"When I took this job three years ago we were second from bottom in the Championship, trying to stay in it. The following year we lost Gylfi Sigurdsson, the summer after that we lost Shane Long.

"When you think of all of those things, if you look at it, we are in a great situation.

"We are in the Barclays Premier League and fighting to make sure we stay there for next year."