Jhon Duran fires Aston Villa into League Cup fourth round after late Wycombe rally

Jhon Durán scored from the ­penalty spot as Aston Villa saw off a spirited display from League One Wycombe Wanderers.

Emiliano Buendía had put Unai Emery’s side ahead with a looping header after 55 minutes before the Colombian striker won and then converted a spot kick five minutes from time.

Emery fielded a youthful-looking back four against their lower-league opponents, making 10 changes to the starting line-up who beat Wolves on Saturday. Only Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana was retained, although substitute goal machine Durán was an ominous starter for the visitors. There was plenty more firepower in the visitors’ side with Ross Barkley, Leon Bailey and Buendía all ­starting.

Argentine playmaker Buendía, Villa captain for the night, made his first competitive start since May last year, having recovered from a serious knee injury.

Wycombe manager Matt Bloomfield also rung the changes, changing eight of the side who beat Cambridge United 2-1 at Adams Park at the weekend. Bloomfield was in the Wycombe team who reached the semi-finals of this competition in 2007, eventually being beaten by Chelsea. He would not need reminding that he also played in an 8-3 drubbing by Villa in the same competition two years earlier.

Durán should have opened the scoring after just 35 seconds. ­Bailey’s through ball sent the Villa striker clear on goal, yet he missed the target. Yet it took the hosts just four minutes to register their first effort on goal, although Villa debutant Joe Gauci easily smothered Tyreeq Bakinson’s 20-yard effort. Veteran winger David Wheeler was causing problems down Villa’s left as the hosts stood strong.

As expected, the Premier League side dominated possession during the first half. Yet they failed to test Franco Ravizzoli again before the break. Indeed, it was the hosts who managed to keep Gauci on his toes during a steady opening period for the underdogs.

Substitute Garath McCleary had two opportunities to level. The first was an embarrassing air shot from fellow substitute Cameron Humphreys’s 78th-minute cross. McCleary’s next attempt, a fine header from 15 yards, was brilliantly tipped away by Gauci.

Durán’s clincher came six minutes from time, going down in the penalty area under pressure from Ravizzoli and defender Declan Skura. It was soft.

Wycombe substitute Richard Kone took advantage of sloppy Villa defending to fire in a consolation goal in stoppage time.