Bruce is not alone, looking nothing like what happened as the longest shootout in England’s professional game goes down in the history books.
Non-league sides Washington and Bedlington hold the overall record in England for their 54-penalty shootout which decided the 2022 Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup.
But it was only in September that Championship side Preston won 16–15 against Premier League club Fulham in an EFL Cup shootout. where 34 spot-kicks were taken.
On this occasion it was a fightback from Villa to force the game to go to penalties, with Elliott Embleton putting the hosts ahead less than a minute into the second half after 18-year-old midfielder Jamaldine Zimoh-Aloba equalised.
But those goals turned out to be mere footnotes to what turned out to be a remarkable night that was settled in a shootout that lasted nearly half an hour.
It started with Villa attacking Kane Taylor first.
And when Albie Morgan dragged his effort wide with Blackpool’s second spot-kick, a save from Tangerines goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell set up a huge showdown to thwart Aidan Borland’s penalty which was eventually settled by the woodwork.
Villa’s win means they will face League Two side Bradford in the last 16 as the under-21 side remaining in the English Football League competition.
Peterborough United also beat Northampton Town 3-0 to go into the last-16 with Walsall.
