Kobei Moore struck twice late on as Aston Villa showed spirit and determination in abundance to come from two goals down and secure a thrilling 4-3 victory at Swansea City in the Premier League Cup.
Trailing 3-1 with 13 minutes remaining, Rico Richards reduced the deficit as the clash entered the latter stages before Moore bagged an emphatic leveller in the 87th minute.
But the Young Lions were not done there and Moore struck again deep into injury time to secure a dramatic victory over the Swans, who had been unbeaten on home soil for over a year.
Teddy Rowe’s free-kick had earlier quickly cancelled out Kristian Fletcher’s opener for the hosts to ensure it was all square at the break, before second-half goals from Sam Parker and Kyrell Wilson had put the Swans in control.
The PL Cup tie also saw fit-again Álex Moreno make his welcome return from injury as he enjoyed just over an hour in South Wales to get valuable game time under his belt.
Villa sit top of Group A at the halfway stage of the Under-21 competition, with seven points from their first three matches.
Both sides looked to get the upper hand during a lively start to the encounter, Josh Feeney blocking well from Wilson.
But it was the hosts who opened the scoring in the 21st minute as Fletcher surged forward and fired a powerful strike into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.
However, Villa were behind for just four minutes as Rowe levelled with a well-taken free-kick.
Tommi O’Reilly was fouled in a dangerous position 20 yards from goal and Rowe stepped up to send the set-piece beyond Swans goalkeeper Remy Mitchell and into the top corner.
The visitors went on the offensive and threatened a second as O’Reilly tested Mitchell following a well-worked move, while Feeney made a crucial interception in injury time as it remained level at the break.
But the home side established a two-goal advantage in the 52nd minute as Parker found the net with a smart finish.
Feeney made another crucial challenge before Rowe again tested Mitchell with another free-kick.
Moreno was replaced just after the hour mark as he got crucial minutes during the break in Premier League action.
Yet Swansea made it 3-1 with 15 minutes remaining as Wilson converted from close range at the far post following a break down Villa’s right.
But the Villans soon started their comeback, Richards finding the net with a low effort to make it 3-2 and set up a grandstand finale.
Moore duly levelled matters with just three minutes remaining courtesy of a powerful finish into the roof of the net.
Villa ‘keeper James Wright then made a crucial low save in the 90th minute to deny Wilson, providing the opportunity for Moore to fire home a dramatic winner deep into added time and secure a pulsating victory.
Villa: Wright, Triston Rowe, Feeney, Smith, Moreno (Borland 63), Alcock (Pierre 83), Teddy Rowe (Broggio 63), T O’Reilly, Richards, Chrisene, Moore (Munroe 90+7).
Subs: Proctor.
