Match report

Crawley Town Defeats Aston Villa U21 4-2 in EFL Trophy

Crawley Town
Crawley Town
4–2
FT
Aston Villa U21
Aston Villa U21
Sep 16, 2025

Crawley Town stunned Aston Villa U21 with a dominant 4-2 victory in the EFL Trophy, underlined by powerful attacking play. Goals from K. Dixon, Ben Radcliffe, R. Loft, and another from Radcliffe himself ensured Crawley Town's victory. Despite Aston Villa's brief resurgence through goals from Rodrigo Fortes and B. Broggio, the match was ultimately controlled by the hosts.

Key Facts

  • • Crawley Town 4–2 Aston Villa U21
  • • Goals: K. Dixon (19'), Ben Radcliffe (22', 64'), R. Loft (58')
  • • Aston Villa Goals: Rodrigo Fortes (45'), B. Broggio (penalty, 56')
  • • Substitutions: R. Brown (12'), S. Malone (65'), R. Loft (65')
  • • Yellow cards: S. Malone (37'), Jude Robertson (79')

Lineups

Crawley Town

Formation: 3-5-2

Starting XI

  • 34 J. Wollacott (G)
  • 15 B. Radcliffe (D)
  • 20 J. Mukena (D)
  • 2 S. Malone (D)
  • 23 F. Kotey
  • 24 K. Dixon (M)
  • 10 R. Brown (M)
  • 6 M. Anderson (M)
  • 7 H. Forster (M)
  • 14 L. Flower (F)
  • 21 R. Loft (F)

Substitutes

  • 33 W. Heater
  • 25 A. Papadopoulos
  • 19 D. Pereira
  • 56 J. Robertson
  • 22 A. Adeyemo
  • 29 T. Showunmi
  • 9 K. Tshimanga

Aston Villa U21

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 63 O. Asemota (G)
  • 72 A. McWilliams (D)
  • 90 W. Burgess (D)
  • 56 L. Routh (D)
  • 80 R. Fortes (D)
  • 93 A. Lynskey (M)
  • 79 M. Kone
  • 68 T. Mulley
  • 69 C. Brannigan (M)
  • 62 B. Broggio
  • 78 M. Lott (F)

Substitutes

  • 95 R. Oakley
  • 98 T. Bloomfield
  • 73 C. Moreland
  • 66 F. Boyd
  • 94 M. Jenner
  • 85 J. McGrath
  • 48 R. Wilson

Timeline

  1. Crawley Town
    12' Crawley Town subst · Substitution 1
    Off: R. Brown · On: J. Robertson
  2. Crawley Town
    19' Crawley Town Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Dixon · Assist: Ben Radcliffe
  3. Crawley Town
    22' Crawley Town Goal · Normal Goal
    Ben Radcliffe · Assist: H. Forster
  4. Crawley Town
    37' Crawley Town Card · Yellow Card
    S. Malone

    Foul

  5. Aston Villa U21
    45' Aston Villa U21 Goal · Normal Goal
    Rodrigo Fortes · Assist: T. Mulley
  6. Aston Villa U21
    56' Aston Villa U21 Goal · Penalty
    B. Broggio
  7. Crawley Town
    58' Crawley Town Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Loft · Assist: K. Dixon
  8. Aston Villa U21
    59' Aston Villa U21 subst · Substitution 1
    Off: B. Broggio · On: M. Jenner
  9. Aston Villa U21
    60' Aston Villa U21 Card · Yellow Card
    T. Mulley

    Foul

  10. Crawley Town
    64' Crawley Town Goal · Normal Goal
    Ben Radcliffe
  11. Crawley Town
    65' Crawley Town subst · Substitution 2
    Off: S. Malone · On: A. Papadopoulos
  12. Crawley Town
    65' Crawley Town subst · Substitution 3
    Off: R. Loft · On: T. Showunmi
  13. Aston Villa U21
    73' Aston Villa U21 subst · Substitution 2
    Off: M. Lott · On: F. Boyd
  14. Crawley Town
    79' Crawley Town Card · Yellow Card
    Jude Robertson

    Foul

  15. Aston Villa U21
    81' Aston Villa U21 subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Rodrigo Fortes · On: T. Bloomfield
  16. Aston Villa U21
    81' Aston Villa U21 subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Lynskey · On: J. McGrath
  17. Aston Villa U21
    90'+3 Aston Villa U21 Card · Yellow Card
    T. Bloomfield

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Crawley Town Aston Villa U21
Fouls 17 14
Pass Accuracy 88% 85%
Offsides 2 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 13 12
Corners 3 4
Total Passes 490 385
Yellow Cards 2 2
Blocked Shots 3 3
Shots on Target 8 7
xG — —
Shots off Target 2 2
Possession 56% 44%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 430 328
Shots Inside Box 10 10
Saves 5 3
Shots Outside Box 3 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Crawley Town's early goals by K. Dixon and Ben Radcliffe set the tone for their victory, giving them a two-goal lead within the first 22 minutes.
  • ▸ Aston Villa's penalty goal by B. Broggio narrowed the gap, but R. Loft's quick response goal secured Crawley Town's control of the match.