The Carabao Cup tie of Brentford vs Aston Villa delivered plenty of drama as the Bees booked their place in the fourth round after a tense penalty shootout. Despite Harvey Elliott scoring on his Aston Villa debut to end their long goal drought, it was Brentford goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson who emerged as the hero. The Icelandic shot-stopper redeemed himself after an early error by saving two crucial penalties, sealing a 4-2 shootout win for Brentford after a 1-1 draw in normal time.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank praised his goalkeeper after the match: “Valdimarsson showed great character today. After his earlier mistake, he kept his head and delivered when it mattered most.”
Match Summary :
- Match: Brentford vs Aston Villa
- Competition: Carabao Cup 2025/26 – Third Round
- Venue: Gtech Community Stadium, London
- Final Score: Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa (Brentford won 4-2 on penalties)
- Goal Scorers: Harvey Elliott (43’) – Aaron Hickey (57’)
- Penalty Heroes: Valdimarsson saved from John McGinn and Matty Cash
- Winning Penalty: Mikkel Damsgaard scored Brentford’s decisive kick
- Key Moment: Valdimarsson’s two penalty saves in the shootout
- Outcome: Brentford progress to the fourth round
Brentford vs Aston Villa began with Villa desperate to find the back of the net after a run of over six hours without a goal this season. The breakthrough came in the 43rd minute when Harvey Elliott, on loan from Liverpool, scored his first goal for the club.
“We’ve been waiting a long time for a goal, so this feels special,” Elliott said after the game. “It was great to contribute on my debut, but we need to improve as a team going forward.”
The goal came courtesy of a costly mistake by Valdimarsson, who allowed Elliott’s scuffed shot to slip through his gloves. Earlier, Elliott had almost struck in the opening minutes but fired straight at Valdimarsson, while Brentford’s Sepp van den Berg saw his header superbly saved by Marco Bizot.
After the restart, Aston Villa almost doubled their lead when Jadon Sancho struck the post following a quick counter-attack. However, it was Brentford who found the equaliser in spectacular fashion.
In the 57th minute, Aaron Hickey, making a memorable return after long injury spells, smashed home a thunderous volley after Pau Torres’ weak clearance. It was the Scottish full-back’s first goal for Brentford, and he described it as “an unforgettable moment. I’ve worked hard to come back and it feels amazing to score in such an important game.”
From that point, Brentford pushed harder, forcing Villa’s defense to retreat. Bizot kept Villa in the game with a brilliant save from Benjamin Arthur’s header, but momentum had shifted in Brentford’s favor.
With neither side able to find a winner in normal time, Brentford vs Aston Villa went to penalties. This was Valdimarsson’s moment to shine. After his earlier error gifted Villa their only goal, the Icelandic keeper produced two superb saves.
“It’s always tough for a goalkeeper after a mistake, but I stayed focused and trusted myself,” Valdimarsson said. “Saving those penalties was incredible, and I’m happy we progressed to the next round.”
He denied John McGinn with Villa’s opening penalty and then pushed away Matty Cash’s effort. Brentford kept their composure, and when Mikkel Damsgaard converted the decisive penalty, the Bees celebrated a 4-2 shootout victory.
For Aston Villa, the result in Brentford vs Aston Villa was another disappointment in a season already filled with frustration. Despite ending their scoring drought, Emery’s side still lack confidence and consistency.
“We created more chances than in previous matches, but we need to be more clinical,” Emery admitted. “It’s a process. Our players are still adjusting, and we’ll keep working to get back on track.”
Brentford, meanwhile, showcased determination and energy. The return of Hickey was a massive boost, and Valdimarsson’s redemption will be remembered as one of the defining moments of their Carabao Cup campaign so far.
What’s Next?
After Brentford vs Aston Villa, the Bees will look ahead to their Carabao Cup fourth-round fixture, hoping to continue their impressive cup run. Aston Villa, on the other hand, return to Premier League action still searching for their first competitive win of the season and urgently needing to rebuild confidence.
“Every game is a learning opportunity,” Emery added. “We’ll analyse this match, improve, and focus on our next challenge.”
FAQs
Q1: What was the result of Brentford vs Aston Villa?
The match finished 1-1 in normal time, with Brentford winning 4-2 on penalties.
Q2: Who scored in Brentford vs Aston Villa?
Harvey Elliott scored for Aston Villa in the first half, while Aaron Hickey equalised for Brentford in the second half.
Q3: Who was the hero of the penalty shootout?
Brentford goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson saved two penalties from John McGinn and Matty Cash to secure victory.
Q4: Which player scored the winning penalty for Brentford?
Mikkel Damsgaard converted the decisive penalty to send Brentford through.
Q5: What stage of the Carabao Cup was Brentford vs Aston Villa played?
The match was part of the Carabao Cup third round, with Brentford advancing to the fourth round.
