Champions League hero scores two goals... in Football League Trophy

Whether you refer to it as the Autoglass Trophy, the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, the Papa Johns Trophy, or simply the EFL Trophy, one thing is certain - this lower-league cup competition is often not given the same level of seriousness as other tournaments by League One and League Two clubs.

That has only amplified since the unpopular decision to admit Premier League under-21s sides into the competition from 2016 onwards...which has also had the weird side effect of allowing some really big-name players to take on tier three and four second-string line-ups.

That's what happened at Highbury Stadium when Aston Villa's academy travelled to Fleetwood Town on Tuesday evening, with two of Villa's goals in a 3-2 victory scored by none other than Argentina international Emiliano Buendia.

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Emiliano Buendia scores twice in Aston Villa EFL Trophy victory

The 27 year old was picked as one of Villa U21s' two permitted over-age players for the group stage game at Fleetwood, alongside summer signing Ross Barkley.

Buendia had not played a competitive game since May last year after suffering a knee ligament injury just before the beginning of last season, but featured in Villa's pre-season friendlies as he works his way back up to match fitness.

After being an unused substitute in each of Villa's Premier League games so far, the playmaker finally got 77 competitive minutes under his belt, giving Villa a two-goal lead to take into half time.

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