'Excited about this!': Sunderland fans rejoice as THREE academy graduates handed starts against Aston Villa

And the big news comes in the form of Arbenit Xhemajli, who has received international clearance in time for the fixture and makes his debut for the Black Cats.

Dan Neil makes his first senior starts for the club, while new signing Danny Graham is on the bench. There are also competitive debuts for Remi Matthews and Morgan Feeney, and a second-ever Sunderland start for Jack Diamond.

And supporters were pleased with the team named by Parkinson for the EFL Trophy clash, particularly given the involvement of a trio of academy graduates.

Here’s what fans had to say on social media:

@Rebecca221001 said: “Excited about this team, only change I would want personally is Wyke not starting but you never know what he'll do”

@MattyCrichton added: “Chances for Diamond, Neil & Taylor I love to see our academy prospects given a chance!”

@SAFC123451 posted: “Good to see Neil get a start”

@lord_barrold commented: “I can’t for the life of me try to decipher what formation we are playing tonight but hey ho, lets #DareToDream about winning the EFL Trophy...”

@Kylesafc_ tweeted: “Well that’s unexpected”

@lxclerc added: “mon the Dan Neil”

@jamestweddell posted: “Like it”

Here’s the Sunderland side in full: Matthews, Feeney, Taylor, Xhemajli, Power, Leadbitter, Scowen, Gooch, Neil, Wyke, Diamond

And here’s the substitutes: Burge, Flanagan, Dobson, O’Brien, Graham, Maguire, Hume