Jason McCarthy received a ringing endorsement from Aston Villa’s Scott Sinclair after Wycombe’s 2-0 FA Cup loss.

The pair spent much of the match in each other’s pockets and McCarthy did well to repeatedly stifle the wide midfielder’s driving runs.

McCarthy has a personal connection with Sinclair, having played with his brother Jake at Southampton, and revealed the Villa man offered him some kind words after the full-time whistle.

“I thought I did well and I had a really good battle with Scott Sinclair down the right hand side. I really enjoyed the battle with him,” McCarthy explained.

“I’m good friends with his brother so we know each other through mutual friends. We had a good chat and he said I was a good test for him which is really pleasing.”

It was the sort of display that reaffirmed the Southampton loanee’s belief that he can go on to play in the Premier League.

He is willing to take a longer route to achieve that goal but asserted that he still sees playing at the top level as a realistic target.

The defender said: “It was a really good experience tonight, and I am still only a young lad. To pit my wits against a Premier League side is great and is something I want to do.

“I want to end up at that level one day. Whatever route I end up taking that is my ambition and the end goal.”