Brentford progressed to the fourth spherical of the Carabao Cup courtesy of a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win over Aston Villa, following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
Hakon Valdimarsson – who had gifted Harvey Elliott the opener simply earlier than the break, ending Villa’s run of 509 minutes with out a aggressive objective – was the hero for Keith Andrews’ males, producing two good saves to disclaim John McGinn and Matty Money.
Mikkel Damsgaard rolled within the Bees’ fourth penalty to ship them into the following stage of the competitors for the fourth time in six seasons.
Brentford had to take in loads of early stress from their opponents who, after drawing a clean of their first 4 Premier League video games, have been starting to develop determined for a objective. However, crucially, they struggled to create something of be aware in assault, as the house followers taunted their barren spell.
Andrews’ aspect got here shut when Sepp van den Berg’s free header was brilliantly tipped over by Marco Bizot, whereas Dango Ouattara raised pulses with some encouraging runs down the right-hand aspect.
However it was Villa who broke the impasse simply earlier than the break. McGinn received the ball excessive because the hosts have been caught taking part in out from the again and fed Elliott, whose shot went via Valdimarsson’s arms, via his legs and into the again of the online.
The run with out scoring a aggressive objective, which stretched all the way in which again to Could 16, when Boubacar Kamara scored towards Tottenham, was over.
Debutant Jadon Sancho – who joined on mortgage from Manchester United on Deadline Day – struck the surface of the put up early within the second half, simply earlier than Brentford levelled in gorgeous vogue.
Their late equaliser towards Chelsea on Saturday got here from an extended throw as did their equaliser on this sport. Pau Torres’ header on from Frank Onyeka’s supply dropped kindly for Aaron Hickey, who struck a candy first-time volley into the top-left nook.
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Aaron Hickey scored his first Brentford objective with a chic volley
With neither aspect in a position to drive a winner, the sport went straight to penalties. The shoot-out began in nightmare vogue for the guests, as Valdimarsson dived low to his proper to maintain out McGinn’s effort.
Every of the following 4 penalties hit the again of the online, however Brentford edged nearer to victory when the Icelandic goalkeeper produced one other sturdy cease to push Money’s effort across the put up – and so they wrapped it up shortly after when Damsgaard stayed cool beneath stress to roll dwelling the decisive spot-kick.
Andrews “delighted” to progress after “testing” evening
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews to Sky Sports activities:
“I’m delighted for the group. We made a lot of changes tonight, with players coming in, debuts for Reiss Nelson, Benjy Arthur, who we have a lot of faith and confidence in. Hakon was the hero with those saves after a testing night.
“I simply assume that is testomony to the group. I do not actually care about errors; it is in regards to the intentions of the gamers on a day-to-day foundation and so they’re at all times fairly good right here, so it is a good finish to the evening.
“I was quick to say at half-time, I felt, after the first 10 minutes of the game, we were probably the better side throughout the first half, caused them more problems, got a grip of the game, got more control, grew into it confidence-wise and then gifted them a goal. From that we’re in a good place second half.
“We’re delighted to undergo.”
Emery: We’re disappointed, but we are seeing improvement
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery:
“We scored one objective, constructive. We drew. And the penalty shoot-out we misplaced so we’re upset.
“We have to get strong defensively and offensively and get in combination good performances. Today is one part of the way. Not with the result we wanted but we have to accept it.
“There’s nonetheless a number of work to do, a number of apply and matches. I feel we’re watching some enchancment. Not sufficient however a number of issues shall be constructive.”
