Aston Villa edged out Wycombe Wanderers to advance into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
For Unai Emery, a cup tie against a lower-league opponent came at the perfect time, as it allowed him to rest several first-team stars, including Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins.
It also gave Aston Villa the opportunity to watch some of their talented youngsters in action. Kosta Nedeljkovic, Sil Swinkels and Kadan Young all made their full debuts at Adams Park.
Young was heavily involved in the first goal as his pacey burst down the left flank resulted in his deflected cross being converted by Emi Buendia, who looped his header over the goalkeeper.
The 18-year-old was impressive on the night and had his full-back on toast but he wasn’t the only academy player who looked the part.
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Sil Swinkels performances vs Wycombe Wanderers
Swinkels is a cultured centre-back who emerged onto the scene at Aston Villa this summer.
The Dutch defender played 45 minutes against Walsall in Villa’s first friendly of pre-season and has since taken his place on the bench against Leicester before starting against Wycombe.
Making his first appearance in senior football, Swinkels partnered with his fellow Dutchman Lamare Bogarde in the heart of the Villa defence, and the 20-year-old rarely put a foot wrong.
Although he was sometimes troubled by the pace of striker Beryly Lubala in behind, the youngster was comfortable in possession, recording an 88% pass completion and placing five long balls accurately.
Swinkels was awarded a 7/10 match rating, as per Birmingham Live, who wrote: “Swinkels was looking to progress the ball at every opportunity. He played a few long balls which skipped away from its intended target, but equally, some came off too. It was an encouraging display from the 20-year-old.”
Villa’s big squad handed Emery the luxury to start some of his younger players and the performance of Swinkels would have left him feeling delighted.
Sil Swinkels can replace Diego Carlos
Aston Villa failed to sign a new centre-back during the summer and it’s an outcome that is already coming back to bite them.
The injury to Matty Cash against Arsenal saw Lamare Bogarde start at right back instead while in the victory over Wolves, he was withdrawn from the squad as Ezri Konsa shifted into that position.
This saw Diego Carlos partner Pau Torres in central defence but last night, the Brazilian was withdrawn from the squad for Thierry Katsukunya.
While the reason for his exclusion is yet to be revealed, the most probable reason is certainly an injury and that could leave Villa on their barebones.
With only Pau and Konsa as senior fit centre-back options and Cash recovering from his most recent setback, this could mean Swinkels is called into action sooner rather than later.
For a player who only just made his debut against a lower league opponent, it would be a baptism of fire to unleash him in the Premier League or Champions League but after a promising display, perhaps Emery wouldn’t mind.
