A much-changed Villa side completed a professional (if less than emphatic) victory over Wycombe this evening. The straightforward win sees Villa progress to the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
FT: Wycombe 1-2 Aston Villa
After an uninspiring first-half display from both sides, Villa took the initiative ten minutes after the break. A positive run down the right flank from Kaden Young resulted in an awkward cross looping into the penalty area following a deflection. Emi Buendia, likely the smallest player on the field, somehow managed to fashion an excellent header that sailed over the helpless Wycombe ‘keeper into the net. It was pleasing to see Buendia back in the starting eleven after such a long layoff and compliments his recent brace during a run out at Fleetwood for the Under-21’s. The Argentine was Villa’s Man of The Match.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn a game in which Villa were largely untroubled despite a youthful appearance, there was a momentary scare. Wycombe forced Joe Gauci into action around the 80th minute mark, with the Australian stopper forced to make a diving save to his left. In what was a quiet evening for Emi Martinez’s deputy, it was a smart stop and an otherwise comfortable showing.
Villa wrapped up affairs with five minutes to spare after Jhon Duran went down in the area, appearing to clip his own heels under pressure. No doubt it was a soft one. Either way, the referee pointed to the spot and the in-form Colombian slotted home the penalty with ease to make it 2-0. Wycombe had late chances at the death with both McCleary and Kone sending warning shots wide, before the latter hammered home a late effort before the referee called time.
All in all given the wholesale change in Villa’s side, this represents a decent result. Many supporters can recount occasions where far more experienced Villa sides have succumbed to lower league opposition in this competition. Bradford anyone? How times change. We march on into the next round and with it keep dreams alive of a repeat of 1994 and 1996. UTFV.
Embed from Getty ImagesVILLA GOALS
VILLA TEAM
- 18 Joe Gauci
- 20 Kosta Nedeljkovic
- 26 Lamare Bogarde
- 50 Sil Swinkels
- 22 Ian Maatsen
- 24 Amadou Onana
- 6 Ross Barkley
- 31 Leon Bailey
- 10 Emi Buendia (CAPTAIN)
- 72 Kaden Young
- 9 Jhon Duran
Substitutes
- 48 Oliwier Zych
- 3 Diego Carlos
- 41 Jacob Ramsey (s 62′)
- 77 Kobei Moore
- 45 Triston Rowe
- 56 Jamaldeen Jimoh (s 90′)
- 54 Aidan Borland (s 62′)
- 79 Ben Broggio (s 86′)
- 66 Travis Patterson (s 90′)
Summary
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