Brentford and Crystal Palace both booked their places in the last 16 of the English League Cup on Tuesday night, but their progress came only after nerve-wracking penalty shootouts. Brentford saw off Aston Villa in a clash between two Premier League sides, while Palace survived a scare against Championship club Millwall in a tense all-London affair.
At the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford proved clinical from the spot, converting all four of their penalties, with Portuguese winger Fábio Carvalho calmly dispatching one of them. In contrast, Aston Villa faltered, missing two of their four efforts, which sealed their exit from the competition. The Bees advanced 4-2 in the shootout against a Villa side with rich history in this tournament, having lifted the trophy five times in 1961, 1975, 1977, 1994, and 1996.
The evening had started brightly for Villa, who entered the tie with high expectations given their resurgence under manager Unai Emery. Harvey Elliott, on loan from Liverpool, opened the scoring for the visitors with a neat finish in the 43rd minute, giving Villa a deserved half-time advantage. Yet Brentford refused to crumble, showing the resilience that has become their trademark under Thomas Frank. Scottish full-back Aaron Hickey found the equalizer in the 57th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to restore parity. From then on, both sides pressed for a winner, but the match drifted towards penalties where Brentford’s composure made the difference.
Meanwhile, at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace endured an even more dramatic night against Millwall in a match charged with local rivalry and passion. The Eagles seemed to have secured progression in normal time when American defender Chris Richards broke the deadlock with a powerful header in the 72nd minute, sending the home fans into celebration. However, Millwall refused to go quietly. As the match entered stoppage time, Ryan Leonard struck a late equalizer in the 91st minute, stunning the Palace faithful and dragging the game into a penalty shootout.
Palace, though, held their nerve. Just like Brentford, they converted four of their penalties, while Millwall faltered twice, allowing the Premier League side to edge through 4-2. The relief inside Selhurst Park was palpable, as the home fans recognized that their team had avoided what would have been one of the shocks of the round.
These results underline the unpredictability of the League Cup, a competition known for producing surprises and giving lower-league sides opportunities to challenge the top-flight elite. This year’s edition, the 66th in history, has already delivered several headlines. Newcastle United, the current holders, have entered at this third-round stage alongside other English clubs involved in European competitions, including Aston Villa, who despite their strong domestic form now find themselves out of the cup earlier than expected.
For Brentford, advancing at Villa’s expense represents a statement of intent. Though not traditionally seen as contenders for silverware, the Bees have quietly established themselves as a tough side to beat, blending tactical discipline with flashes of attacking flair. Their fans will now begin to dream about a potential deep run in the competition. Crystal Palace, similarly, will hope that this victory provides momentum for the weeks ahead, as the club continues to search for consistency in the Premier League under their current project.
Elsewhere in the third round, Grimsby Town once again emerged as one of the feel-good stories of the tournament. The League Two side stunned Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday with a 1-0 win away from home, continuing their remarkable journey. Grimsby had already made headlines in the previous round by eliminating Manchester United, managed by Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim, in a penalty shootout. Their progress highlights the romance of the League Cup, where clubs from the lower tiers can capture national attention by knocking out giants of English football.
The round continues until September 24, with 16 winners in total progressing to the last 16. The draw promises intriguing matchups, with 14 Premier League teams still in the competition, joined by three from the Championship, 10 from League One, and two from League Two. With so many big names still in the mix, but also several underdogs alive and kicking, the path to Wembley remains as open and unpredictable as ever.
The victories for Brentford and Crystal Palace, both sealed from 12 yards, serve as a reminder that knockout football is often decided by fine margins and mental strength. For Aston Villa, the defeat is a setback that may sting for weeks, while Millwall will take pride in pushing their top-flight rivals all the way. For the victors, however, it is the continuation of a journey that could yet end with a famous night under the Wembley arch.
