Hakon Valdimarsson Saves Brentford In 4-2 Shoot-Out After 1-1 Draw, Dumping Aston Villa Out Of Carabao Cup

After a cagey 1-1 stalemate across 90 minutes, Brentford edged through to the fourth round, prevailing 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out.

Early Pressure and a Desperate Villa

In front of their home fans, Brentford were immediately met with an Aston Villa side hungry to end a remarkable 509-minute competitive goal drought. Villa attacked with urgency, pressing high and testing Brentford’s defence, who absorbed the early onslaught with admirable calm. Yet, in spite of their desperation, Villa struggled to create clear chances, their efforts repeatedly repelled as the crowd revelled in their struggles.

Sepp van den Berg’s powerful header gave a glimpse of Brentford’s ambitions, denied only by a flying save from Marco Bizot. Elsewhere, Dango Ouattara’s darting runs down the right offered hope, but the home side remained firm, determined to weather the storm.

Breakthrough—and a Costly Mistake

Just when it appeared the break would come goalless, fortune—and nerves—intervened. Villa’s captain John McGinn stole the ball high up the pitch, feeding Harvey Elliott. What followed will haunt Hakon Valdimarsson: Elliott’s strike somehow slipped through his hands, then his legs, nestling in the net.

It was a moment that shattered Villa’s barren run, dating all the way since May, and left the Brentford supporters holding their breath.

Debuts and Drama: Brentford’s Fightback

Keith Andrews entrusted fresh faces as Reiss Nelson and Benjy Arthur made their debuts, injecting fresh energy into proceedings. Early in the second half, debutant Jadon Sancho—fresh from Manchester United—almost doubled Villa’s lead, rattling the outside of the post.

Brentford, however, showcased their signature set-piece prowess. Much like their late equaliser against Chelsea, they levelled in style: Frank Onyeka’s long throw was flicked on by Pau Torres, falling for Aaron Hickey to smash a laser-guided volley into the top corner. In a flash, the balance tipped and hope surged through the stands.

Penalty Shoot-Out Nerves

With extra time absent in the Carabao Cup, penalties beckoned. High tension and higher stakes—this is where heroes are forged.

• Villa’s McGinn saw his penalty brilliantly saved by Valdimarsson, who guessed right and parried low.
• Both teams netted their next four strikes, with nerves holding strong.
• Matty Cash then saw his effort denied by a flying Valdimarsson—redemption at its sweetest.
• The decisive moment: Mikkel Damsgaard, cool as ice, slotted Brentford’s fourth and final penalty, sparking elation.

Manager Reactions: Relief and Realism

“I’m delighted for the group... Hakon was the hero with those saves after a testing night,” Keith Andrews shared post-match, impressed with the squad’s spirit, versatility, and the attitude of his new recruits.

Villa’s Unai Emery, ever the pragmatist, noted: “We have to get strong defensively and offensively... Not the result we wanted but we have to accept it,” urging his side to build on their incremental improvements.

Brentford’s passage means they’ve now made the Carabao Cup’s fourth round in four of the past six seasons. Their ability to handle pressure, blend youth with experience, and find moments of brilliance underlines a club hitting new heights. For Villa, solace may be found in ending their historic scoreless run—and in the challenges that lie ahead as they seek to rebuild confidence and chemistry.