No joy for Latics at Villa Park

Latics unbeaten opening to the season came to an end as they lost 4-1 to Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup (League Cup) at Villa Park.

Both Latics and Villa made eleven changes from their starting line ups from Saturday’s league games as both teams demonstrated where their priorities lie.

Scott Hogan gave Villa the lead after 19 minutes when he slotted home from Albert Adomah’s cross. Adomah then added a second on 36 minutes when his first time volley flew into the top corner past debutant keeper Jamie Jones.

Latics reduced the arrears on 43 minutes when Ryan Colclough picked up Max Power’s pass and drove past Jed Steer from 12 yards, but almost immediately Villa went up the other end and restored their two goal advantage when Hogan scored from the edge of the box.

Paul Cook’s team started positively at the beginning of the second half with Terell Thomas heading narrowly wide of the post. However Villa’s progress to the Third Round was confirmed when James Bree’s cross wasn’t cleared in the 74th minute and Bikir Bjarnason poked the ball home at the far post.

At least Latics’ fans won’t have to get up at 4.15 am to see the draw for the next round of the Carabao Cup in Bejing!