Crystal Palace book place in EFL Cup last eight spot after win at Aston Villa – Eagles to face Arsenal in quarter-finals

Oliver Glasner was proud that his Crystal Palace side bounced back from injury adversity to beat Aston Villa and progress through to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.

The Eagles took the lead after eight minutes when Daniel Munoz’s cross found Eberechi Eze around the centre circle and the Greenwich-born attacker headed beyond Joe Gauci.

Greenwich-born Eze was soon subbed off with a hamstring injury in the 18th minute.

Jhon Duran equalised for the hosts when Daichi Kamada lost possession on the counter attack and the ball was launched forward to Leon Bailey.

He found the Colombian striker, who swept past Matt Turner to bring the game level in the 23rd minute.

Adam Wharton was also taken off in the 27th minute due to the groin injury he has been nursing.

Kamada put Oliver Glasner’s side ahead in the 64th minute when he picked the ball up from a Diego Carlos mistake on the edge of the box. The Japanese international drove forward and slotted an effort beyond Gauci.

The South Londoners booked their spot in the last eight of the EFL Cup for the first time since the 2011-12 season, losing to Cardiff as a Championship side on penalties.

“Especially given the circumstances,” said Glasner of beating the Champions League side.

“We started well with taking the lead. But we had to make the first sub with Ebs’ injury.

“It’s a hamstring problem. We don’t know how serious it is, but the muscle is not the best news you can get.

“We concede the equaliser and then had to make one more sub with Adam – it’s his groin issue.

“Yesterday he said: ‘I’m fine. I can play. I feel quite well.’

“The pain got worse during the game so we had to make the second sub. 

“Coming here with 14 senior players from the first team squad and four U21s, then coming back in this game and winning it, scoring a fantastic goal and defending with a lot of passion, I’m very proud of the performance today.”

PICTURE: PA