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.
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In 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 Co...