Socceroos goalkeeper Joe Gauci makes maiden appearance for Aston Villa

It has been a long wait, but Socceroos keeper Joe Gauci has finally been given a first-team chance at Aston Villa.

Socceroos goalkeeper Joe Gauci has made a winning debut for Aston Villa after finally been given a first-team opportunity more than seven months after joining the English Premier League club.

Stuck behind star Argentine gloveman Emiliano Martínez, Gauci was rewarded for his patience with a start in Villa’s 2-1 English League Cup third-round away win over Wycombe Wanderers on Wednesday morning (AEST).

Back out for the second half 💜

🔵 0-0 🟣 [46'] #WYCAVL || #UpTheVillapic.twitter.com/9T47hbosEM

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 24, 2024

The 24-year-old former Adelaide United keeper, who has made four Socceroos appearances, was among Villa’s better performers with a display that included five saves.

With Villa – whose manager Unai Emery made sweeping changes to the team that played in the weekend’s 3-1 Premier League win over Wolves – leading 2-0 deep into the contest courtesy of goals from Argentine midfielder Emiliano Buendía and Colombian forward Jhon Durn, Gauci seemed destined to keep a clean sheet.

However, Wycombe substitute Richard Kone scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Despite the late goal, Villa held on to progress to the fourth round of the Cup.

Villa returns to Premier League action on Sunday night with an away match against Ipswich Town, whose squad includes Gauci’s Socceroos teammate Cameron Burgess and ex-Socceroo Massimo Luongo, who retired from international football last year.

Following that match, Villa’s next assignment is a UEFA Champions League home battle against German giants Bayern Munich, the club of Gauci’s fellow Socceroo and former Adelaide teammate Nestory Irankunda.

Originally published as Socceroos goalkeeper Joe Gauci makes maiden appearance for Aston Villa