Aston Villa overcame a tricky challenge against Wycombe Wanderers in the third round of the Carabao Cup, narrowly defeating the League One side 2-1 at Adams Park. Emi Buendia, in his first start since May 2023, provided the crucial goal that helped Unai Emery’s men progress. The Argentine midfielder, who spent the entire 2023/24 season sidelined with an ACL injury, marked his return in style, heading Villa into the lead after a difficult first half. Villa struggled to assert their dominance early on, and while Wycombe put up a valiant fight, Buendia’s return goal and another from Jhon Duran were enough to send the Premier League side through to the next round.
Buendia’s Emotional Return
The story of the night belonged to Emi Buendia. After missing an entire season due to a serious knee injury, the Argentine made his long-awaited return to the starting lineup and wasted no time making an impact. In the 55th minute, Emi Buendia rose highest to meet a cross from Lucas Digne, looping a header over Wycombe goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli to give Villa the lead.
The goal was a moment of relief and joy for Buendia, who had worked tirelessly in his rehabilitation to get back on the pitch. His return could not have come at a better time for Villa, who were looking for inspiration after a lethargic first half.
A Slow Start from Villa
Despite being overwhelming favorites, Villa endured a sluggish start to the match, with Wycombe showing no fear in taking the game to their Premier League opponents. Villa had an opportunity to go ahead within the first minute, when Jhon Duran found himself through on goal after a sublime pass from Leon Bailey. Duran, however, squandered the chance, firing his shot just wide of the left post. This set the tone for a frustrating first half, as Villa struggled to break down a well-organized Wycombe defense.
Unai Emery’s side was disjointed in possession and lacked urgency, allowing Wycombe to grow in confidence as the half progressed. The home side even had a couple of half-chances of their own, with Garath McCleary causing problems for Villa’s backline with his direct running and crosses into the box. Still, Villa’s quality eventually began to shine through, and they entered halftime knowing they needed to step up if they wanted to avoid an upset.
The Second-Half Response
Unai Emery’s halftime team talk clearly had an effect, as Villa returned to the pitch with more intensity and purpose. The introduction of Buendia as the focal point in midfield allowed Villa to dictate the tempo better and push Wycombe deeper into their own half.
The breakthrough finally came in the 55th minute when Lucas Digne’s pinpoint cross from the left flank found Buendia. The Argentine’s header was perfectly placed, looping over Ravizzoli and into the net, marking a triumphant return for the Villa playmaker and giving his side a vital lead.
Wycombe’s Response and Duran’s Goal
Wycombe, to their credit, did not sit back after conceding. They pressed for an equalizer, and their persistence was rewarded just 10 minutes later when David Wheeler pounced on a loose ball inside the Villa box to fire past Robin Olsen, leveling the score at 1-1 and sending the Adams Park crowd into raptures.
However, Villa quickly regained control and restored their lead in the 71st minute. Jhon Duran, who had missed an earlier chance, made amends with a well-taken goal. The Colombian forward latched onto another exquisite pass from Leon Bailey, this time making no mistake as he drilled the ball into the bottom corner to put Villa back in front.
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