Charlton 4 Aston Villa U21s 2

The Addicks claimed their first EFL Trophy victory of the season on Tuesday evening as they ran out 4-2 winners over Aston Villa U21s.

It took just four minutes for Charlton to open the scoring at The Valley. After good work from Nathan Asiimwe, starting at left-back, Tyreece Campbell found Scott Fraser, who captained the side on his first start since the opening day of the season. The Scot’s deep, left-footed ball found Charlie Kirk who marked his return to the side with a confident finish to beat Fil Marschall.

Michael Appleton's men doubled their tally on the half-hour mark. Tyreece Campbell was again involved, firing into the feet of Miles Leaburn from the right. After controlling with his right foot, the striker was brought down by Kerr Smith. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Leaburn stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Fraser claimed another assist 10 minutes later, this time finding Louie Watson inside the box with his back to goal. The Luton Town loanee twisted and turned before producing a clinical left-footed finish into the bottom-right corner. 

In the second minute of stoppage time at the end of the opening period, the Addicks put the cherry on top of an impressive first 45. Louie Watson turned provider this time, playing into Leaburn’s feet from the right. Leaburn, much like he did to win the penalty, turned onto his right, but this time he continued unopposed and left Marschall motionless once more with a classy right-foot finish. 

The Villans were offered a route back into the match five minutes into the second half when Smith made amends by winning a penalty of his own after being brought down by Louie Watson following a corner, only for skipper Tommi O’Reilly to clip the top of the crossbar with his spot-kick.

The away side would claim a consolation on 73 minutes. Rico Richards received the ball just inside the box on the left and squared for Tommi O’Reilly, who, under pressure from Lucas Ness, mishit his shot but the ball found its way to Kobei Moore and he dispatched it beyond Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

With 10 minutes to go, Villa substitute Todd Alcock scored directly from a corner to halve the visitors' arrears.

The victory takes Charlton up to second in Group B ahead of next month's meeting with Sutton United in SE7.

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer; Laqeretabua (T.Watson 24), Ness, Elerewe, Asiimwe; C.Campbell, L.Watson (Tedić 65), Fraser (c) (Kedwell 74), Kirk; T.Campbell (May 65), Leaburn (Aneke 65)

Sub (not used): Molyneux, Jones

Goals: Kirk 4, Leaburn 29, 45+2, L.Watson 40

Assists: Fraser 4, 40, L.Watson 45+2

Yellow cards: L.Watson 34 (foul on Chrisene), Tedić 76 (kicking the ball away)

Aston Villa U21s: Marschall; Rowe (Borland 74), Feeney (A.O’Reilly 83), Smith, Chrisene (Munroe 54); Iroegbunam (Alcock 58), Richards (Pavey 83), T O’Reilly (c); Pierre (Broggio 58), Moore, Ealing

Subs (not used): Wright

Goal: Moore 73, Alcock 81

Assist: T.O’Reilly 73

Yellow card: Iroegbunam 42 (foul on T.Campbell)

Attendance: 1,273 (129 away)

Referee: Neil Hair