Chelsea 1-1 Aston Villa Blues win shootout to reach Carabao Cup last 16
The full-back fired home the Blues' final penalty to win the shootout 4-3. A goal from young Villa forward Cameron Archer had ensured a draw in standard time, levelling with a header after Timo Werner had put the Blues ahead.
Wednesday's result extends the reigning European champions' unbeaten start to the season, seeing them top the Premier League with 13 points from five matches.
It looked like they were going to win the game in a standard time when Werner rose in space to meet James' cross and head home his first club goal in 11 matches.
The German should have added to his tally soon after but dragged a shot from close range wide of the target.
But Villa, who had given as good as they got during the game, deservedly levelled when Archer showed the brilliant technique to steer in a headed equaliser.
This season it made it four goals in two EFL Cup games for the 19-year-old, who scored a hat-trick in the 6-0 win over Barrow in the second round. It was also the first goal from open play that Chelsea have conceded this season.
In the shootout, Ashley Young struck the crossbar with Villa's second penalty before Kepa Arrizabalaga saved their third from Marvelous Nakamba to hand the advantage to the home side.
Ben Chilwell then struck the bar to take it to the final set of penalties, but James made no mistake to seal the Blues' progress."Aston Villa played very strong, as they did 10 days ago, and again today. We also did very well.
"We had many changes; the team had never played in this formation. This needs a bit of time on the field, but it was important we don't expect too much in terms of how we create chances."
Aston Villa assistant boss Craig Shakespeare to the club website: "We're disappointed to go out. We came here with a game plan, and we picked a team that needed minutes.
"Chelsea's superiority in terms of possession meant we had to hang in there at times in the second half."The overall performance and chances we created, the lads can be very, very pleased with."However, they're disappointed in the changing room to go out."
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