Aston Villa advanced into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 victory over League One outfit Wycombe Wanderers.
Unai Emery unsurprisingly made wholesale changes for this clash, handing full debuts to the teenage trio Sil Swinkels, Kosta Nedeljkovic and Kadan Young while Emi Buendia also made his first start for Aston Villa in over 500 days.
The visitors were expected to dominate against their lower league opponents but it was Wycombe who were the side most likely to score, as aside from Jhon Duran spurning his golden chance early on, the Chair Boys registered four attempts on Joe Gauci’s goal.
Villa were indeed disappointing in the first half as experienced players such as Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley struggled to take control of the game.
In many ways, the first-half performance mirrored what fans have witnessed in recent weeks, with Emery’s men slow out of the blocks.
Fortunately, the tide somewhat turned in the second half as Villa dictated most of the possession in Wycombe’s half but still didn’t create many opportunities.
That was until Kadan Young’s bursting run down the left resulted in a goal. Young’s cross was deflected and Buendia managed to loop his header over Franco Ravizzoli.
Emery then brought on teenager Aidan Borland in midfield and attacker Jacob Ramsey for Onana and Leon Bailey on the hour in an attempt to see out the game but it was Wycombe who continued to look threatening.
Villa managed to survive a couple of attacks before doubling their lead minutes from time through a Jhon Duran penalty after he was brought down in the box and then Wycombe grabbed a deserved consolation in the final minute of added time.
Emery would have been disappointed with his side’s display on Tuesday night but they can be pleased they’ve progressed into the next round.
So, with the score ending 1-2, here’s how the players rated…
Aston Villa player ratings vs Wycombe Wanderers
Joe Gauci – 6
Replacing Emi Martinez in goal is no easy feat but Joe Gauci did a decent job on his full debut for the club. Was called into action a few times in the first half but the shots were all relatively straightforward to save.
Kosta Nedeljkovic – 6
Nedeljkovic’s audition for the right-back spot at Villa went decent. The 18-year-old showed real energy down the right and looked very assured in possession.
Sil Swinkels – 6
Was making his first competitive start for Aston Villa and his inexperience showed at times with Lubala troubling him in behind. However, he did show promising signs in possession by playing some neat forward passes.
Lamare Bogarde – 5
Started at centre-back tonight and didn’t cover himself in glory. Bogarde was troubled regularly in behind by the speed of Lubala and gave a ball away cheaply on occasions. Although his performance improved after halftime, it’s going to be a while until he dislodges one of Pau Torres or Ezri Konsa in defence.
Ian Maatsen – 7
Looked dangerous every time he picked up the ball down the left when driving forward with his pace and superb dribbling. Maatsen was one of few players who sent a message to Emery, with a start in the Premier League surely around the corner.
Ross Barkley – 5
Failed to take control of the midfield and dominate as expected of him against lower-league opposition. Barkley has impressed from the bench in recent weeks but this display won’t see him dislodge Youri Tielemans in a hurry.
Amadou Onana – 6
Much his like midfield partner, Onana was pretty sloppy in possession in the first half and didn’t use his physical prowess to get the better of Wycombe’s midfield. The Belgian was substituted on the hour mark for teenager Aidan Borland.
Leon Bailey – 6
Villa simply didn’t get the ball enough to Bailey in his 62 minutes on the pitch as every time he received the ball, the Jamaican unsurprisingly troubled his fullback. He was replaced by Jacob Ramsey.
Emi Buendia – 8
Buendia made his first start for the Villans in over 500 days and returned to the starting XI with a bang as his looping header broke the deadlock in the second half. It was the type of goal that isn’t synonymous with the Argentine but just as important nonetheless.
Kadan Young – 7.5
A solid first outing for Young, who had the beating of right-back Jasper Pattenden every time he received the ball and delivered a telling final ball in the second half as Buendia got on the end of his deflected cross.
Jhon Duran – 7
Duran was a constant threat in behind the Wycombe defence and should have scored inside the first minute when he spurned his one one-on-one chance wide of the target. Kept on pushing for a goal and he got one a couple of minutes from time after converting his penalty.
