- Glasner’s men gave the surprise with the victory against Aston Villa
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Daichi Kamada’s delightful second-half goal further eased the pressure on Oliver Glasner and dashed Aston Villa’s hopes of Carabao Cup glory.
Japanese midfielder Kamada didn’t start the match but how he finished it, coming on for injured goalscorer Eberechi Eze before scoring an exquisite winner in the 64th minute.
Villa manager Unai Emery opted to make 10 changes from the team that drew 1-1 with Bournemouth on Saturday, with captain John McGinn the only survivor.
In the end it backfired and Villa’s wait for their first trophy since lifting the League Cup in 1996 continues.
Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara made their first starts since recovering from an ACL injury (the former appeared for the first time in 445 days).
Daichi Kamada was the winner of the match for Crystal Palace that surprised Aston Villa
The Japanese midfielder fired in from 25 yards as Palace eased the pressure on Oliver Glasner.
Mings, in particular, got through the match well, but Villa, who equalized in the first half thanks to Jhon Durán, ultimately had no response to Kamada’s touch of class.
Glasner has come under increasing scrutiny following Palace’s terrible start to the season and made just three changes following Sunday’s win over Tottenham, their first in the Premier League this season.
American goalkeeper Matt Turner made his debut and Palace took the lead in the eighth minute when Daniel Muñoz’s cross came in from the right flank and Eze headed home powerfully.
The Englishman was sent off for a knock in the 18th minute and Villa picked up the pace before equalizing midway through the first half.
The ball fell tantalizingly to Durán inside the 18-yard box and he once again showed off his finishing prowess with a sweet left-foot strike that Turner managed to reach but couldn’t avoid.
Palace were then dealt another blow when midfielder Adam Wharton was substituted in clear annoyance as Villa began to tighten the screw.
After the break, Durán hit a powerful shot that Turner parried before shooting wide as the hour approached.
But in the 64th minute, Kamada took advantage of an errant pass from Diego Carlos.
The summer signing from Lazio regained possession about 25 meters from goal and created space to drill a low shot with his right foot into the net.