The Carabao Cup third round was completed on Wednesday evening with the all Premier League contest between Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa going the way of the visitors at the Amex Stadium. Ireland U21 striker Aaron Connolly started for the hosts while Shane Duffy also returned to first team action, with 20 year old centre back Warren O’Hora named on the substitute bench. Conor Hourihane started and scored for the victors. Connolly was substituted after 58 minutes while Duffy was an injury withdrawal on 72 minutes. Recent international debutant goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara started for League One Burton Albion who defeated Premier League AFC Bournemouth by two goals to nil. Fellow international debutant Mark Travers and U21 midfielder Gavin Kilkenny both started for the ‘Cherries’. Ireland U21 goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher started for Liverpool who won by two goals to nil at League One MK Dons. Premier League side Sheffield United included Callum Robinson in their starting eleven with Enda Stevens unused on the bench for their one nil defeat by League One visitors Sunderland. Reading included Ireland U21 midfielder Josh Barrett in their starting eleven at Wolverhampton Wanderers who included Matt Doherty in their starting eleven. The hosts progressed to the next round with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out success after a one all draw.
The Scottish League Cup quarter-finals also took place this evening with Jonny Hayes starting for Glasgow Celtic who defeated Partick Thistle by five goals to nil at Celtic Park. Glenn Whelan and Jake Mulraney started for Heart of Midlothian who defeated Aberdeen in a penalty shoot-out after the sides finished level at two each after extra-time. Whelan scored the opening ‘Jam Tarts’ penalty in the shoot-out and 75th minute substitute Aiden Keena converted the winning spot kick.