Bruce is not alone is never seeing anything like what unfolded, with the shootout going into the history books as the longest in the professional game in England.

Non-league sides Washington and Bedlington hold the overall record in England for their 54-penalty shootout that decided a Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup game in 2022.

But it was only in September that Championship side Preston prevailed against Premier League club Fulham 16-15 in a Carabao Cup shootout in which 34 spot-kicks were taken.

The world record for a shootout is believed to be the 56 penalties taken by Israeli sides SC Dimona and Shimshon Tel Aviv in May 2024 in a semi-final promotion play-off, with both sides taking 28 before SC Dimona prevailed 23-22.

On this occasion it took a fightback from Villa to force the game to go to penalties, with 18-year-old midfielder Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba levelling after Elliot Embleton put the hosts ahead less than a minute into the second half.

Those goals, however, become just footnotes in what turned out to be a remarkable night that was settled in a shootout that dragged on for nearly half an hour.

It started with Kane Taylor slamming home the first for Villa.

And while Albie Morgan dragged his effort wide with Blackpool’s second spot-kick, a save from Tangerines goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell to foil Aidan Borland’s penalty set up the mammoth showdown that was eventually settled by the woodwork.

Villa’s win means they are the last remaining Under-21 side left in the English Football League competition, advancing to face League Two side Bradford in the last 16, with Peterborough United joining them after a 3-0 win over Northampton Town sent Posh through to a home date with Walsall.