Daichi Kamada’s heroics led Crystal Palace to an impressive 2-1 win over Aston Villa to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time since the 2011/12 season. The Japan international’s decisive goal in the 64th minute capped a spirited performance from Palace, who will now look to maintain the momentum from a win over Tottenham at the weekend.

Eze sets the tone before Kamada secures the win

Palace started confidently and took advantage of Villa’s inconsistent defending. The breakthrough came early when Eberechi Eze rose above the Villa defensive line, met a well-placed cross from Daniel Munoz and directed a powerful header past Emiliano Martínez. Eze’s shot set the pace for Palace, who managed to keep Villa’s attacks at bay despite the hosts’ dominant possession.

However, Villa reacted quickly. Leon Bailey delivered a well-timed cross and found Jhon Duran, who shot low into the bottom corner and equalized. Although Palace debutant Matt Turner got the ball in his hands, Duran’s shot proved too precise, bringing Villa level and reviving the home crowd.

Kamada’s moment of brilliance

Villa’s enthusiasm was short-lived. In the 64th minute, substitute Kamada took advantage of a costly mistake from Diego Carlos, pounced on a loose pass and unleashed a fierce low shot from the edge of the box. The shot landed in the bottom corner, out of Martínez’s reach, and Kamada’s clever finish gave Palace a 2-1 lead.

Kamada, who came on as a substitute for the injured Eze, continued to look cheerful after his goal. He tested the Villa defense twice again, first with a free kick into the wall and then with a rebound that sailed over the crossbar. But his decisive goal alone was enough to tip the scales in Palace’s favor.

Villa’s struggles despite dominance

Villa dominated possession for much of the game, taking 62% of the ball and having nine shots on goal. Despite these numbers, they struggled to break through the resilient Palace defense. Despite being tested on several occasions, Turner managed to keep Villa at bay, including a crucial save from Duran early in the second half.

Villa had their chances, Duran threatening from an angle and Emiliano Buendia missing a rebound chance. But each attempt seemed to pass without fazing Turner or the Palace backline. Even when Villa controlled long stretches, Palace’s disciplined defense remained steadfast.

Injuries Cloud Palace Victory

Although this result represents a significant achievement for Crystal Palace, who now reach the quarter-finals of the League Cup, it did not come without a price. Both Eze and Adam Wharton left the pitch due to injuries in the first half, raising doubts about their availability in the coming games. Their absence will be a concern for manager Oliver Glasner as Eze has been a key figure in recent performances.

Nevertheless, Palace can be proud of two wins in a row 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.