Aston Villa Stunned as Crystal Palace Advances to League Cup Quarter-Finals

Daichi Kamada’s heroics guided Crystal Palace to an impressive 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, sealing their place in the League Cup quarter-finals for the first time since the 2011-12 season. The Japanese international’s decisive strike in the 64th minute capped a spirited performance by Palace, who now look to sustain their momentum from a win against Tottenham over the weekend.

Eze Sets the Tone Before Kamada Seals the Win

Palace started confidently, taking advantage of Villa’s inconsistent defence. The breakthrough came early when Eberechi Eze rose above the Villa backline to connect with Daniel Munoz’s well-placed cross, steering a powerful header past Emiliano Martínez. Eze’s effort set the tempo for Palace, who managed to keep Villa’s attacks at bay despite their hosts’ dominant possession.

However, Villa’s response was swift. Leon Bailey delivered a well-timed cross, finding Jhon Duran, who fired low into the bottom corner to equalise. Even with Palace debutant Matt Turner getting a hand to the ball, Duran’s shot proved too precise, bringing Villa level and reigniting the home crowd.

Kamada’s Moment of Brilliance

Villa’s enthusiasm was short-lived. In the 64th minute, substitute Kamada capitalised on a costly error by Diego Carlos, pouncing on a loose pass and unleashing a fierce low strike from the edge of the box. The shot nestled in the bottom corner, out of reach for Martínez, as Kamada’s clinical finish handed Palace a 2-1 lead.

Kamada, who had come on for the injured Eze, continued to look lively after his goal. Twice he tested the Villa defence again, first with a free-kick into the wall and then with a rebound that sailed over the bar. Yet his decisive goal alone proved enough to tilt the balance in Palace’s favour.

Villa’s Struggles Despite Dominance

For much of the match, Villa dominated possession, recording 62% of the ball and generating nine shots on target. Despite these numbers, they struggled to break through a resilient Palace defence. Turner, although tested on several occasions, managed to keep Villa at bay, including a critical save from Duran early in the second half.

Villa had their chances, with Duran threatening from an angle and Emiliano Buendia missing a rebound opportunity. Yet, each attempt seemed to fade away, unable to unsettle Turner or the Palace backline. Even as Villa controlled large stretches, Palace’s disciplined defence stood firm.

Injuries Cloud Palace’s Victory

While this result marks a significant achievement for Crystal Palace, who now advance to the League Cup quarter-finals, it was not without a price. Both Eze and Adam Wharton left the pitch in the first half due to injuries, casting doubt over their availability in upcoming fixtures. Their absence will be a concern for manager Oliver Glasner, as Eze has been a pivotal figure in recent performances.

Palace, nevertheless, can take pride in back-to-back wins for the first time this season. As they look forward to the quarter-finals, the focus will be on maintaining this momentum while managing the fitness of key players.