*Five-time winners Aston Villa were knocked out of the EFL Cup in the first round by League Two side Luton Town.* Villa, without an away win since August 2015, took the lead at Kenilworth Road when Jordan Ayew scuffed home. Jake Gray equalised with a neat finish and Cameron McGeehan capitalised on a fortuitous rebound to put Luton ahead against a side relegated from the Premier League last term. Jores Okore turned into his own net to compound Villa’s misery. The Denmark international diverted past Mark Bunn, after the keeper could only get his fingertips to Gray’s low ball into the area. Villa, without a win in all competitions since February, had started the better when Ayew found the bottom corner after outmuscling the defence at a corner. But after Gray’s first goal for the Hatters made it 1-1, former Norwich midfielder McGeehan was left with a tap in when Gray’s strike rebounded off Bunn and Jack Grealish into his path. Villa striker Rudy Gestede’s effort was cleared off the line before McGeehan’s strike, and Okore’s misfortune secured Nathan Jones’ side a deserved victory. --- *Birmingham Mail* 19 May 2020 Aston Villa rebel investigated for alleged match-fixing - report One-time Aston Villa centre-back Jores Okore is being investigated amid concerns of alleged match-fixing in Denmark. Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet claim Okore’s late yellow card for Aalborg in the 1-0 victory over OB Odense back in October is being scrutinised. The match took place on October 18, 2019 and, two minutes into added time, Okore appeared to stamp on opponent Oliver Lund’s chest sparking a mass brawl. The defender, who was at Villa between 2013-2016, was given a yellow card and, amid alleged unusual betting activity, the incident was investigated by North Jutland Police in Denmark. Ekstra Bladet claim how several bookmakers licensed in Denmark registered large gaming activity on Okore to be booked in that particular match. It’s also alleged that in-game bets were abruptly suspended for Okore to be booked amid large sums being wagered on that very outcome. In a press release, Aalborg - Okore’s current club - pointed out how the police were investigating the specific incident of an on-field fight that broke out between players following Okore’s stamp. North Jutland Police, meanwhile, according to Ekstra Bladet , confirmed it was investigating match fixing during Aalborg’s win over OB Odense on October 18, 2019. The Danish media outlet has attempted to contact Okore and his representatives for comment. Aalborg have distanced themselves from the matter while police enquiries continue. Okore, meanwhile, was signed for £4million under then-boss Paul Lambert back in 2013. He made a total of 47 appearances in three seasons, the last of which came in the shock 3-1 defeat away at Luton Town in the League Cup in August 2016. The 27-year-old infamously refused to play for Villa again during their relegation year from the Premier League. Stand-in manager Eric Black once said: “After (Bournemouth at Villa Park), he said that he didn’t want to be considered for any of the games going forwards. “I didn’t have a choice apart from remove him. I don’t want people who don’t want to be at Aston Villa.”