Wycombe - 3 Aston Villa - 8: Aston Villa fans who had chanted "What a load of rubbish" at their hapless team in the first half were dancing the conga before the finish last night as David O'Leary's players completed an amazing comeback in a terrific tie. Losing 3-1 at half-time, Villa responded with seven goals in 42 extraordinary minutes. So much for football being boring.
Villa had been outplayed and outfought before the interval but, led by Gareth Barry, Milan Baros and James Milner, they reacted excellently, attacked with vim and saved themselves from embarrassment.
Wycombe, aggressive and incisive, needed only six minutes to go ahead, a good break down the right by the strong, attacking right-back Danny Senda ending with a cross which Nathan Tyson headed in unchallenged.
Milner and Baros combined on a quick counter-attack which culminated in Steve Davis sweeping in an excellent equaliser.
Villa's game deteriorated from the moment hopeless defending and goalkeeping to match from Thomas Sorensen allowed Roger Johnson to loop in a header from a Stefan Oakes corner. A cross by the lively Oakes allowed Tommy Mooney to make it three.
No doubt there were strong words from O'Leary during the interval and Villa's response was almost instant, Aaron Hughes' powerful run and cut-back allowing Baros a tap-in.
Wycombe were going for another goal when Villa equalised, Milner showing great touch to curl a shot beyond Frank Talia.
The drama was unrelenting, and soon Clint Easton sent the ball sailing past his goalkeeper trying to cut out a pass by Patrick Berger. When Barry thumped in a penalty after Senda fouled Baros, Villa finally had the tie won. The same player made it six from a Baros cross before Milner drilled in Villa's seventh and Davis completed the turnaround.
Guardian Service
WYCOMBE WANDERERS (4-4-2): Talia; Senda, Williamson, Johnson, Easton; Dixon, Burnell(Anya, 84), Oakes, Bloomfield; Mooney (Stonebridge, 78), Tyson (Torres, 54). Subs not used: Williams, Martin.
ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Sorensen; Hughes (De la Cruz, 84), Cahill, Ridgewell, Samuel; Milner, Davis, Barry, Berger; Angel (Moore, 68), Baros.Subs not used: Mellberg, Hendrie, Taylor.
Referee: R Beeby
