As Emiliano Buendía wheeled towards the nearest corner clenching his fists in celebration, in front of the bank of 1,848 travelling Aston Villa supporters, it was the kind of cathartic moment he longed for on the darker days of his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury. Buendía, captaining a youthful Villa, headed in the opening goal before Jhon Durán continued his extraordinary run to score his fifth goal of the season, this time from the penalty spot on his first start of the campaign. The Wycombe substitute Richard Kone scored a late, late consolation.
For Buendía, these are all milestones. He scored twice for Villa’s under-21s at Fleetwood in an EFL Trophy win earlier this month and on his first senior start for 16 months he paved the way to the Carabao Cup fourth round. “It is a really special night, to come back to play again for this club,” the Argentinian said. “It is my fourth season here, to have the captain’s armband and to help the team with a goal and get through to another round is an amazing feeling.”
It would not have been quite so straightforward had the 37-year-old Wycombe substitute Garath McCleary buried one of the two chances that arrived in quick succession with about 10 minutes of normal time left. With the first McCleary malfunctioned as he went to sweep in his fellow substitute Cameron Humphreys’ zipped first-time cross on the edge of the six-yard box with his left boot, the ball instead cannoning off his standing right leg. From the second he forced the Australia goalkeeper Joe Gauci, one of ultimately seven Villa debutants, into a two-handed save after directing a long throw goalwards.
Villa’s second goal, from the penalty spot a few minutes later, gave Unai Emery’s side some welcome breathing space, albeit in contentious circumstances. Durán fell in the box with the defender Declan Skura and the goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli in close company. Replays suggested the referee, John Busby, was duped by the 20-year-old, who stepped up to the spot to send Ravizzoli the wrong way.
“It is tough for referees but we come out of the game feeling slightly aggrieved,” said the Wycombe manager, Matt Bloomfield. “We had some really good opportunities to make it 1-1. Woulda, coulda, shoulda – on another day one of those goes in. I’m sure Aston Villa know they’ve been in a game.”
The 30-year-old Ross Barkley was the only Villa player over the age of 27 in the squad. The 17-year-old midfielder Aidan Borland, signed from Celtic last year, replaced Leon Bailey soon after the hour and late on Travis Patterson, 18, Ben Broggio, 17, and Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, 17, entered for their first senior minutes. “It was a day to show our quality,” Buendía said.
Durán missed a trio of first-half chances, the first inside 35 seconds, firing wide when one on one with Ravizzoli after racing on to Bailey’s through ball, and Emery wore the look of a relieved man when his side seized the lead against the League One side approaching the hour.
Young piled down the left and fired a cross into the box. Joe Low’s clearance looped over his teammate Tyreeq Bakinson and on to Buendía’s radar. The 5ft 7in midfielder sprang into the air to give Villa liftoff.
Buendía’s Comeback and Captaincy
For Buendía, the match was a significant milestone in his return from injury. He captained the team for the first time, adding to the significance of the occasion. He spoke of his delight at being back on the pitch and helping the team secure a victory. Buendía’s impact was undeniable, providing a crucial goal that put Villa ahead in the match.
Duran's Continued Goal-Scoring Streak
Jhon Duran, a young Colombian forward, continued his impressive goal-scoring form. He has now netted five goals in seven appearances for Villa this season. While he missed a few opportunities in the first half, Duran showed his composure and confidence to convert a penalty and secure Villa's victory.
A Night for the Youngsters
The game also provided a platform for several young Villa players to showcase their talent. With a number of senior players rested, the likes of Joe Gauci, Sil Swinkels, and Kadan Young made their full debuts for the club. This was a testament to Villa’s commitment to developing their academy and providing opportunities for promising youngsters. Their performance against Wycombe suggests that the future looks bright for Aston Villa.
Looking Ahead
The Carabao Cup victory will undoubtedly boost Villa’s morale as they head into a crucial period of the season. With a trip to Ipswich on the horizon, followed by a UEFA Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, Villa will be looking to build on their momentum and continue their impressive start to the campaign. The performance against Wycombe, despite a late scare, showcased Villa's depth and resilience. Emery's side will be looking to carry this winning mentality into their upcoming challenges, aiming for success both domestically and on the European stage.
A Night of Thrills & Triumph
The game was filled with drama and excitement, featuring crucial moments, missed opportunities, and a late comeback attempt. Ultimately, it was a night of triumph for Villa, who managed to secure a victory despite fielding a youthful squad. The game highlighted the resilience of the team and the potential of their young stars. It was a night for Villa fans to celebrate and look forward to the exciting challenges that lie ahead.
