Palace win at Aston Villa to progress in EFL Cup

Daichi Kamada’s winner delivered Crystal Palace an impressive victory at Aston Villa that puts them into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Substitute Kamada latched on to a poor pass from Diego Carlos and unleashed a fierce low shot from the edge of the area as Palace retook the lead in the 64th minute.

Eberechi Eze had opened the scoring for the away side, rising highest to head in Daniel Munoz’s cross from the right.

Leon Bailey crossed into the path of Jhon Duran, who fired low into the bottom corner to level the scoring despite debutant Palace goalkeeper Matt Turner getting a hand to it.

Kamada’s goal means that Palace reach the quarter-final stage of the competition for the first time since the 2011-12 season, where they will travel to Arsenal the week commencing 16 December.

While the victory helped Palace build on their win against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, it came at a cost.

Oliver Glasner’s side will be left sweating over the fitness of key players Eze and Adam Wharton after both went off with injuries in the first half.

Kamada, who came on for Eze, looked lively after scoring, running on to a loose ball before dragging his shot wide of the post.

The Japan international also struck a free-kick into the wall before firing the rebound over the bar.

Villa dominated proceedings with 62% possession and nine shots on target but Palace were largely untroubled.

Duran’s shot from an angle was spilled by Turner but Emiliano Buendia fired the rebound high over the bar.

The Colombia forward aimed a strike towards the top corner early in the second half but it was well saved by Turner as Kamada’s strike proved decisive, with Palace recording back-to-back wins for the first time this season.