EFL Trophy round-up: Buendia returns for Villa U21s

Emiliano Buendia bagged his first goals for Aston Villa since scoring in the 3-0 win over Bournemouth in March 2023

Emiliano Buendia scored twice on his competitive return from a year out through injury as he played for Aston Villa Under-21s in their EFL Trophy win at Fleetwood.

The Argentine midfielder volleyed home a Ross Barkley cross to get his first goal since suffering a serious knee injury that saw him miss last season.

He added another just before the break and after Fleetwood fought back to make it 2-2 in the second half, Kyrie Pierre scored a late winner for Villa.

Villa's under-21s were one of 32 sides in action on a busy Tuesday in the competition.

Jay Stansfield's second Birmingham City debut following his record-breaking transfer on Friday did not go to plan in his side's 4-3 penalty defeat at home by local rivals Walsall following a 1-1 draw.

The striker was a surprise inclusion in a strong Blues frontline which also included Alfie May, Japanese winger Ayumu Yokoyama and Saturday's match-winner Scott Wright.

And having scored at St Andrew's only seven days ago against Birmingham for Fulham in the Cottagers 2-0 victory in the Carabao Cup, Stansfield was kept relatively quiet by Mat Sadler's side

Right-back Connor Barrett got in behind Blues' defence and pulled-back to former Blues man Charlie Lakin who finished expertly left-footed into the top corner to give Walsall a surprise lead.

Central defender Christoph Klarer's equaliser from a corner ensured it went to penalties but Blues' in-form striker May missed the decisive penalty when he shot straight at Walsall keeper Sam Hornby.

In a good night for the Premier League's youth teams, Arsenal Under-21s beat Leyton Orient 2-1 at Brisbane Road with Josh Robinson and Ismeal Kabia on the scoresheet for the Gunners after defender Daniel Happe had initially restored parity for the O's.

Nottingham Forest's under-21s beat managerless Carlisle United 2-1 at Brunton Park thanks to substitute Archie Whitehall's 94th-minute winner.

Carlisle's Jake Allen had cancelled out Joe Gardner's first-half goal with the home side now suffering four defeats from their first five matches of the season.

Two wins in two for Port Vale

Newcastle United Under-21s beat Bradford City 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Josh Donaldson's 92nd-minute equaliser took the game to penalties after a goal either side of half-time from Oliver Sanderson and Andy Cook had given the Bantams the lead following Ben Parkinson's opener.

Elsewhere, Wolves succumbed to a 5-4 defeat on penalties by Port Vale following a 2-2 draw despite 18-year-old winger Tom Edozie opening the scoring when he found the top corner with a tidy finish before half-time.

The Valiants' heads did not drop, however, and substitute Lorent Tolaj levelled the score just before the hour mark.

Fletcher Holman thought he had won it for Wolves but Ronan Curtis took the game to spot kicks where ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Amos was the hero for the hosts who have now won both their matches in the competition.

League One Blackpool beat Crewe Alexandra 4-1 at Bloomfield Road thanks in part to a brace from winger CJ Hamilton.

A superb left-footed strike from the edge of the box from captain Jordan Rhodes and another from Sonny Carey sealed the win with Omar Bogle's first goal for Alex proving a mere footnote.

The Seasiders then announced Steve Bruce as their new head coach at full-time.

A late Joe Ironside penalty proved decisive for Doncaster Rovers in their 2-1 home win against Huddersfield Town.

Ephraim Yeboah had put the hosts in front before experienced forward Danny Ward equalised for the Terriers four minutes into the second half.

Exeter City saw off Swindon Town 2-1 thanks to a late winner from Jack Aitchinson after Joel Cotterill had initially cancelled out Ed Francis's opener for the Grecians.

Stockport maintain strong start

Cheltenham Town came from behind to beat 10-man Newport County 2-1 at Rodney Parade.

Kieron Evans opened the scoring for the hosts, but following Exiles goalkeeper Jacob Carney's red card, goals from Harrison Sohna and Joel Colwill in eight second-half minutes won it for the Robins.

Stockport County continued their fantastic start to the season with a thumping 4-1 win at Accrington Stanley.

Winger Ash Hunter had opened the scoring for Stanley but two goals from Jack Stretton, one from half-time substitute Callum Camps, and another from Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry added gloss to the victory for the League One leaders.

Bolton Wanderers edged out Barrow 3-2 in a five-goal thriller at Holker Street.

Second-half strikes from John McAtee, Aaron Collins and Kyle Dempsey were enough for Ian Evatt's side despite Sam Foley's first-half opener and Andy Dallas' strike nine minutes remaining for the hosts.

Peterborough saw off Gillingham 2-1 at Priestfield with goals from forward Ricky Jade-Jones and substitute Bradley Ihionvien. Elliott Nevens' 93rd-minute strike proved mere consolation for Gills.

Wigan Athletic went down 2-1 at home to Morecambe despite Joe Hugill's second-half penalty.

Goals either side of half-time from Harvey Macadam and Lee Angol won it for the Shrimps.

Bromley beat Cambridge United 5-4 on penalties after an exciting 3-3 draw at Hayes Lane.

Forward Marcus Dinanga's brace put the hosts in control but goals from Liam Bennett, Dan Barton and Emmanuel Longelo looked to have won it for Garry Monk's side.

A last minute equaliser from substitute Olufela Olomola took the game to penalties where Olomola won it for the hosts with the decisive kick.

And finally, Chesterfield saw off Lincoln City 1-0 at Sincil Bank thanks to a second-half strike from winger Connor Cook.