In a season to forget for Aston Villa the emergence of Australian youngster Jordan Lyden has given fans of the famous old club something positive to cling on to, as they brace themselves for the prospect of relegation from the Premier League.

The 19-year-old, who skippers Villa's under-21 team, was handed his full debut against Wycombe Wanderers in Tuesday's (Wednesday AEDT) FA Cup replay and impressed in an unfamiliar right-back role to help his side into the fourth round following a nervy 2-0 win over a fired-up League Two outfit.

Up and comer: Lyden in action in the FA Cup. Credit:Twitter: @AVFCOfficial

Villa are six points adrift at the foot of the EPL table with just two wins to their credit and their 28-year stay in the top flight edging towards an end.

Lyden was named in Remi Garde's matchday squad for the first time in December against Arsenal and made his senior debut off the bench earlier this month in the 1-1 FA Cup draw with Wycombe.