Wycombe manager Matt Bloomfield also made changes, withdrawing eight players from the team that beat Cambridge United 2-1 at Adams Park at the weekend. Bloomfield was part of the Wycombe team that reached the semi-finals of this competition in 2007, where they were beaten by Chelsea. He probably needs no reminding that he also played in an 8-3 defeat to Villa in the same competition two years earlier.

Durán should have opened the scoring after just 35 seconds. Bailey’s through ball left the Villa striker unmarked on goal, but he missed the target. It took the hosts just four minutes to register their first attempt on goal, though Villa debutant Joe Gauci easily saved Tyreeq Bakinson’s 20-yard shot. Veteran winger David Wheeler caused Villa problems down the left as the hosts held strong.

As expected, the Premier League side dominated proceedings in the first half, but they were unable to test Franco Ravizzoli again before the break. In fact, it was the hosts who kept Gauci on his toes during a quiet opening period for the underdogs.

Substitute Garath McCleary had two chances to equalise. The first was an embarrassing aerial shot from a cross by fellow substitute Cameron Humphreys in the 78th minute. McCleary’s next attempt, a beautiful header from 13 metres, was brilliantly saved by Gauci.