The Carabao Cup provides a welcome distraction for both Coventry City and Aston Villa, who face each other in the third round of the competition at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Coventry are in urgent need of a victory
Frank Lampard’s return to the Premier League certainly hasn’t gone to plan so far. Coventry have played four league matches, losing all four by a combined aggregate score of 10-0.
No points and no goals. Things aren’t looking good for the former Chelsea boss. This EFL Cup clash against Aston Villa, however, represents a distraction from the Premier League, one that the Sky Blues will be hoping to take full advantage of.
This is the first time since 2008/09 that the club have reached the last 16 stage of the EFL Cup and another victory might just be the catalyst which leads to a first Premier League victory in 25 years this weekend.
While Villa haven’t been at the races this term either, Lampard will need to get his defence sorted, especially after the 5-0 loss to Brighton at the weekend. Although three of the goals were conceded after the Sky Blues went down to ten men, it was still a dismal display at home – one that Lampard can ill afford.
Coventry’s last win over Villa came all the way back in November 1999. Both sides have endured some difficult times since then, but the home side will need to pull off their finest display of the season if they wish to progress.
One step forward, two steps back for Unai Emery
After a poor start to their own Premier League campaign, Aston Villa secured a morale-boosting victory over Club Brugge in the Champions League last week. That 3-2 win was their first of the season and it was certainly much-needed ahead of a clash against Nottingham Forest over the weekend.
Given that Oliver Glasner’s men had failed to win any of their three league games, it looked as though Villa might finally get off the mark. It wasn’t to be, however, as goals from Liam Delap and Igor Jesus give Emery plenty to ponder ahead of this EFL Cup clash.
Although the Spaniard led Villa to Europa League glory last term, his cup record since joining the club isn’t that great. Villa have reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup just once across four attempts under Emery and have failed to progress beyond the last 16 in this competition since 2019/20.
An away tie against Coventry was certainly a welcome draw, but as we seen at the weekend, nothing is guaranteed in this game.
Team News
Lampard will be without the services of Haji Wright, Josh Eccles, Luke Woolfenden and Kaine Kesler-Hayden due to injury. Elis Simms wasn’t in the squad on Sunday for the mauling by Brighton and it remains to be seen whether or not he returns.
Leon Goretzka, Brian Madjo and Amadou Onana are missing for Villa, with Pau Torres, Matty Cash and Ian Maatsen undergoing late fitness tests to see if they will be fit to play or not.
Emery is likely to make some changes to his starting XI, especially due to the recent demands and this could see the likes of Ibrahim Mbaye and Taylor Harwood-Bellis make their first starts.
Prediction
Despite Coventry’s recent struggles, Lampard will have some optimism that his side can secure a place in the EFL Cup quarter-finals. Villa have just one win across five matches in all competitions this season, scoring only four goals in the process.
Home advantage could prove to be a factor on Wednesday evening and this might turn into a tight affair, especially if goals aren’t scored early.
Villa will be keen to add another trophy to the collection and with a space in the next round up for grabs, I expect Emery and his men to win this match, but it will be tight.
